Koraput: A 19-year-old youth, who was allegedly chased, fired at and abducted by unidentified assailants in Rayagada town on Saturday night, was found dead near Nagavali river at Tumbiguda on Sunday morning, police said.According to police, a group of assailants, travelling in a car as well as riding a motorcycle allegedly intercepted Nikhil Hadipa, a resident of Reli Sahi under Rayagada Town police limits, at Indira Nagar 3rd Line around 9.30pm on Saturday. An altercation reportedly broke out between them, before the attackers opened fire as Hadipa, who allegedly had prior criminal antecedents, attempted to flee.Eyewitnesses told police that the youth ran into a nearby house to save himself. However, the assailants allegedly dragged him out and abducted him before fleeing towards Ring Road. His body was later recovered on the banks of the Nagavali River.Rayagada superintendent of police (SP) Swathy S Kumar said Hadipa’s mother had lodged an abduction complaint late on Saturday night, following which police launched a search operation.“Three police teams searched for the youth throughout the night. This morning, we received information about his death. The accused have been identified and four teams have been formed to track them down,” the SP said.Police have seized a spent cartridge case from the spot where the initial confrontation took place, while a scientific team has begun forensic examination. Though investigators suspect previous enmity to be the motive behind the killing, police said all angles are being examined.“The exact reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained. A thorough investigation is underway,” the SP said.Meanwhile, tension gripped the town as local residents staged a road blockade near the Town police station by burning tyres and later gheraoed it till late evening, demanding immediate arrest of the attackers.“Adequate force has been deployed to avoid any untoward incident,” said a police officer.
