n a shocking incident, a youth committed suicide by hanging himself after he was accused of goat theft and beaten up by villagers in Phiringia block of Kandhamal district on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Jitu Rana (17), son of one Mahipal Rana of Katapanga village under Sadingia panchayat of the block. Family members alleged that he resorted to the extreme act as he was unable to bear the shame of being accused of theft and assaulted in public.
As per reports, Jitu had gone to his sister’s house in Pahireju village on Monday. He was returning by his bike when a goat collided with his two-wheeler at Badhadani village. As the goat was injured, he along with a friend took the animal for treatment to a hospital at Sadingia. However, locals intercepted him and beat him up ruthlessly accusing him of stealing the goat. Later, villagers called a meeting in presence of the sarpanch and asked Jitu’s father to show up along with him. Locals then abused the father-son duo and slapped a fine of Rs 4,000 on the charge of theft.
The following day, when no one was around, Jitu went to a nearby jungle and hung himself from a tree. Family members alleged that he was driven to this point as he was shamed in public along with his father.
Getting the information, the Phiringia police led by IIC Tapan Kumar Nahak reached the spot and recovered the body for autopsy. A case of unnatural death was registered and investigation was underway.