Police on Tuesday arrested six persons, including the prime accused, for beating to death four persons at Pitala Chhak under the Hinjili police station in Ganjam district on March 22 night.
The arrested were identified as prime accused Amiya Swain alias Sadhu and his associates Bahan Behera, Dipu Sethi, Chitrasen Sethi, Santosh Swain of Ramchadrapur village.
On the fateful day, three brothers Sambhu Swain, Pandab Swain, Raja Swain and their minor cousin Chandan Swain were thrashed to death by Sadhu and his associates.
The prime accused along with his associates had brutally beaten Sambhu and his brothers after they opposed him for passing obscene comments at a couple near the latter’s fast food stall.
Their opposition irked Sadhu, who called up his other associates and attacked the victims with wooden sticks and iron rods,” said Ganjam SP, Brajesh Ray.
The senior police official said that the weapons of offence including iron rod and bamboo sticks have been recovered. “Another accused is still at large. We have formed teams and they are conducting searches at various parts of the State and outside,” said Ray.
Following the incident, traders in Pitala Chhak downed their shutters in protest of the deteriorating law and order situation that resulted in the crime.