In a shocking incident stemming from a long-standing family feud over property, a 25-year-old man has been arrested for the alleged murder of his uncle in Odisha's Sundargarh district. The tragic event underscores the volatile nature of land disputes in rural areas.
Brutal Attack Over Ancestral Land Share
The accused has been identified as Sama Munda, a resident of Rangamatia village. According to police, Sama had a severely strained relationship with his 56-year-old uncle, Nanda Munda. The core of the conflict was Sama's allegation that his uncle was denying him his rightful share of their ancestral land.
The tension between the two had escalated a few days prior to the incident, resulting in a heated quarrel. This argument seemingly set the stage for the horrific violence that followed.
How the Murder Unfolded
On the night of Monday, while Nanda Munda was asleep in his house, the accused took a deadly weapon—a grinding stone pestle. Sama allegedly reached his uncle's house and, in a premeditated attack, repeatedly hit Nanda on the head with the heavy pestle, leading to his immediate death.
Upon receiving information about the crime, officials from the Lahunipada police station rushed to the village. They promptly shifted the victim's body to the Bonai sub-divisional hospital for post-mortem examination, which was conducted on Tuesday. Following the procedure, the body was handed over to the grieving family.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The police swiftly detained Sama Munda for interrogation. Based on the evidence and initial findings, a formal murder case was registered, and a detailed investigation was launched. The law enforcement's efforts culminated on Wednesday with the formal arrest of Sama Munda.
In a crucial development for the case, the police also seized the grinding pestle, believed to be the murder weapon. Inspector in-charge S Jhankar of Lahunipada police station confirmed the arrest and seizure, stating, "We are further investigating the case" to ensure all aspects are covered.
This tragic incident in Rourkela serves as a grim reminder of how property disputes can tear families apart and lead to irreversible consequences. The local community remains in shock as the legal process begins to take its course.
