In a shocking incident, a 32-year-old youth was found lying in a pool of blood on Sunday in the Shiva temple of Angarabandha under the Angul police station.
The temple priest was the first to know about the horrific incident when he went to the temple in the morning. He saw a man lying on the floor with his throat slit and blood oozing out of his neck.
Terrified, he immediately informed the villagers, who rushed to the spot and sent the youth to Angul hospital. But as his condition deteriorated, he was referred to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack.
The victim was identified as Karuna Nayak of village Khandahata. Sources said there was a tussle between the people of Angarabandha and Kangula regarding the worship rights of priests of the Shiva Temple.
But mystery shrouds whether Karuna's throat was slit due to enmity or he was a victim of human sacrifice. However, the police are investigating the case. The incident has sent shockwaves among the locals.