Crime News / Facebook Live Row Turns Violent In Bhubaneswar; Two Rounds Of Firing, Five Critical

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: A clash over a Facebook Live video escalated into violence, with two rounds of blank firing and a physical assault leaving five people critically injured in Ghatikia under Bharatpur police limits in Bhubaneswar, a source said.

According to the source, a youth had gone live on Facebook on Sunday and allegedly made caste-related remarks while speaking about a case. The video subsequently went viral, reportedly angering members of the other side.

Late Sunday night, a group allegedly reached a Ganesh Puja pandal at Ghatikia, where a large number of youths had gathered for the immersion ceremony, the source informed.

Clash Escalates Into Firing
The Facebook Live video reportedly triggered an argument between the two groups, which later escalated into a clash.

According to the allegations, some outsiders who had reached the spot fired two rounds in the air before allegedly launching a violent assault on some youths.

One of the five victims said, "They barged into the office room and asked for one Nihar Behera. We have no connection with that name. Still, they terrorised us, assaulted us and fire upon us. We got saved by a whisker".

Five people sustained critical injuries in the incident and were admitted to a nearby private hospital for treatment, the source added.

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The incident created tension in the area, following which police reached the spot and began an investigation.

Khandagiri Police have reportedly collected CCTV footage from the area and launched a search to identify and apprehend those allegedly involved in the firing and assault.

The exact circumstances leading to the clash, the identity of those who allegedly opened fire and the motive behind the firing are yet to be established. Further investigation is underway.