Jharsuguda: A 22-year-old youth was murdered, and another critically injured, after criminals allegedly attacked them with machetes near Belpahar level crossing in Jharsuguda district on Monday afternoon following road rage.Police identified the deceased as Rahul, alias Bahadur Mahato (22), while the injured youth, Akash Sahu (23), was shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Jharsuguda after receiving initial treatment at Lakhanpur Hospital. Both were residents of Junadihi College Pada in Belpahar.The deceased and the injured youth, Akash, are residents of Junadihi, Belpahar.According to police, the incident occurred around 2 pm near the level crossing at Gandhinagar under Belpahar police station limits. Preliminary probe revealed that the victims’ bike allegedly collided with the accused’s car, triggering a heated argument between the two groups.Following this, the victim was killed by the machete while Akash Sahu was critically injured.Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra, along with the Brajrajnagar SDPO Chintamani Pradhan and Belpahar police, reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra said, “At 2 pm near Belpahar Fatak, a fatal road rage incident occurred following an altercation between a sedan driver and a two-wheeler rider. During the altercation, the accused allegedly attacked Rahul Mahato with a machete (Bhujali), leading to his death at Lakhanpur Hospital. Injured Akash Sahu was shifted to the district headquarters hospital, Jharsuguda, and is presently stable. Police immediately analysed CCTV footage, identified the involved vehicle and apprehended Chudamani Kalet, Pradeep Banchor and Pushpalata Banchor. Further probe is underway.”
