Deadly Gang Violence Erupts in Raipur Over Local Control
A violent clash between rival groups in Chhattisgarh's capital city has resulted in tragedy. On Sunday, a 21-year-old man lost his life after being stabbed multiple times during a fight that police say stemmed from territorial disputes and old enmities.
Fatal Attack Under Darkness
The incident occurred within the City Kotwali police limits. Aditya Kurre, a resident of Bhanpuri area, was enjoying drinks with friends when the confrontation began. Lokesh Vishwakarma, aged 25, arrived with associates including a 17-year-old minor. They reignited a long-standing argument about controlling local territory, known locally as 'varchasva'.
What started as a verbal dispute quickly turned physical. The group surrounded Aditya, punching and kicking him. Then Lokesh and another attacker produced knives. They stabbed the young man eight to ten times, causing him to collapse on the road.
When Aditya's friend Abhay Sarthi tried to intervene, he too was attacked and left with serious injuries. CCTV footage from the area shows young men running with knives in their hands. Investigators noted that street lights in the locality were switched off at the time of the attack, suggesting possible premeditation.
Police Response and Arrests
Local residents rushed both victims to hospital. Doctors declared Aditya dead upon arrival, while Abhay remains in critical condition receiving treatment.
Telibandha police have arrested five individuals in connection with the crime. Those taken into custody include Lokesh Vishwakarma (25), Divyansh Dhruv (20), Anuj Yadav (19), Aakash Vishwakarma (24), and the 17-year-old juvenile. Police revealed that Lokesh and Aakash Vishwakarma are brothers, and both appear on the police 'goonda list' with prior imprisonment records for multiple assault cases.
Authorities stated the fight was linked to territorial rivalry within local gang circles. This incident comes despite police claims that overall crime has declined in Raipur during 2025.
Political Outcry Over Law and Order
The violent episode has triggered sharp political reactions. On Tuesday, the Opposition Congress staged a protest in front of Telibandha police station, demanding immediate action to curb criminal activities in the city.
Senior spokesperson of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, Surendra Verma, strongly criticized the state government. He called the gang war an example of 'jungle raj' under the BJP administration, declaring that Raipur has become the 'crime capital'.
Verma presented alarming statistics, claiming that in the past year alone, Raipur recorded 92 murders, 280 rape cases, and 543 stabbing incidents. He asserted that the gang violence resulted from conflicts over ganja trade, extortion activities, and territorial dominance.
'Criminals have completely lost their fear of police and the law,' Verma stated. 'People are being butchered like vegetables.'
The Congress leader also criticized the non-functional street lights in Telibandha area, saying it demonstrates the collapse of government intelligence systems and forces citizens to live in constant fear.
Rising Knife Crime Concerns
This incident highlights growing concerns about knife-related violence in Raipur. The city has witnessed increasing numbers of stabbing cases, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths.
In response to this trend, police had previously written to several online shopping platforms requesting they stop home deliveries of knives. In some instances, authorities have even registered cases against these platforms.
The deadly gang war has intensified debates about public safety and law enforcement effectiveness in Chhattisgarh's capital, with citizens and politicians alike demanding stronger measures to prevent such tragedies.
