6 held for beating man to death

BHUBANESWAR: Hours after a group allegedly whacked a 35-year-old person to death in the City on Thursday night, police have arrested six persons. It was a group fight which took a violent turn and ended in the death of P Srinivas Reddy, an auto-rickshaw owner. His two brothers - Srikant and Keshab - sustained serious injuries in the attack and are receiving treatment. Their brother-in-law D Lohidas Reddy too was hurt. The incident occurred at Falikia Bazar located to the left side of the road connecting Raj Mahal Square and Kalpana Square. The six accused have been identified as P Ganapati Reddy, P Kamesh Reddy, Jaga Das, Simanchal Kunja, K Kanta Rao and D Ramu.   Problem started when Lohidas was passing through Falikia Bazar area on Thursday night. He apparently picked a fight with Ganapati who, being a local guy, had support. Finding himself surrounded, Lohidas telephoned his brothers-in-law - Srinivas, Srikant and Keshab. Srinivas along with his brothers also got into a fight with Ganapati when others joined in. The four were outnumbered and came under intense attack. Using iron rods, stones and even sharp weapons, Ganapati and others attacked the Reddy brothers and Lohidas, DCP Nitinjit Singh said.   When police reached the spot, the attackers had fled. Srinivas and others were shifted to Capital Hospital. While Srinivas succumbed to his injuries, others are under observation. Later, a team from Capital Police Station raided the area and arrested the accused. Both sides being in auto-rickshaw operation were at loggerheads over past disputes. While the issue of past enmity was a reason for the violent fight, police have not ruled out another angle _ sale of liquor in the area. Falikia Bazar, locals said, turns into a hub for illicit liquor during the night hours.