13 injured in acid attack, one critical

SOHELA(BARGARH): Thirteen persons, including nine children, were injured in an acid attack in Bhatbida village under Sohela police limits, on Sunday morning. While the incident is being attributed to past enmity, the accused, Prashanta Sahu, is reportedly absconding. Four among the injured, identified as Chudamani Bagh (20), Gouranga Rana (20), Sarit Adabar (18) and Manas Rana (15), have been shifted to VSS Medical at Burla. Condition of Chudamani is stated to be critical.   Sources said Chudamani Bagh had allegedly barged into Prashanta’s house and tried to outrage the modesty of his sister, about a year back. Prashanta has since been on the look out for Chudamani for revenge. On Sunday morning, while Chudamani was witnessing a ‘yagna’, Prashanta reached the spot with acid in a glass and threw it on the former injuring him badly. Three others Gouranga Rana (20), Sarit Adabar (18), Manas Rana (15) besides nine children identified as Kanha Mallick (6), Ajit Sahu (8), Krushna Sahu (15), Basanta Sahu (10), Minketan Mallick (12), Arun Sahu (3), Bulu Sahu (13), Subrat Bhoi (8) and one Kanha Patra (6) of Kenpali village also sustained burns. The injured were rushed to Sohela CHC and children discharged after treatment. The rest were referred to VSS Medical.  Soon after the incident, irate locals ransacked Prashanta’s house and threw out household items including motorbike, utensils, air cooler, electronics gadgets, ornaments and documents before setting them on fire. They also destroyed rice, groundnut, pulses and other commodities stored in the house. Even as tension prevails in the village, police have been deployed to avert any untoward incident.