A woman was killed in a clash between two groups belonging to different political parties at Panturi village in Odisha's Jajpur district over sand lifting, police said today.
Sulochana Dalei alias Bagi was attacked by the members of an armed group, allegedly owing allegiance to the ruling BJD, and killed on the spot last night, a police officer said.
The incident took place on the village road in full public view. The victim screamed for help but no one dared to rescue her from the clutches of the attackers, the officer said.
Jajpur Superintendent of Police Anup Kumar Sahu said the warring groups have different political affiliation and tension was simmering between them over sand lifting from the local river bed.
The tension reached a head during street processions and immersion ceremony on the occasion of Pusa Purnima on Friday night.
"Armed with lethal weapons, some activists of a particular political party reached Surendra Dalei's house and used foul language against him during the procession.
"As Surendra was not present at his house, his wife Bagi came out and protested. The activists attacked her with the weapons, killing her on the spot," Sahu said.
Dalei belonged to a rival political party, the SP said.
The accused have been booked under sections 302 and 34 of the IPC on the basis of a complaint filed by the nephew of the victim, police said.
"One of the five accused has been nabbed and rest would be arrested soon," he said.
One platoon of armed police force has been deployed at the village.
