28/05/2026
10 persons arrested by Golanthara Police for Markandi violence
Case Reference:
Golanthara PS Case No. 195 dated 28.05.2026, U/S 221/121/296(b)/115(2)/117(2)/118(2)/109/3(5) BNS r/w Sec. 9 IE Act.
Arrested Accused Persons:
A total of 10 persons have been arrested from both theater parties of villages Ramapali and Gobindapur:
1. Rakesh Kumar Swain,
2. Panchanan Swain,
3. Gundicha Swain,
4. Bhagirthi Swain,
5. Deeban Kumar Swain — all residents of village Ramapali, PS Chamakhandi, Ganjam.
6. Brunadaban Swain,
7. Nirmal Pradhan,
8. Manas Swain,
9. Kanhu Pradhan,
10. Pintu Patra — all residents of village Gobindapur, PS Seragada, Ganjam.
Seizure:
Stones, lathis, brick pieces, and debris of a bomb from the spot at village Markandi.
Brief of the Case:
On 28.05.2026 at night, a Thakurani Jatra festival was underway at village Markandi. At that time, ASI R.Ch. Muduli, along with one platoon of force, was performing duty. Everything was proceeding peacefully. Two theater parties — namely the Mahabharata troupes from villages Ramapali and Gobindapur — were performing adjacent to each other.
All of a sudden, a heated argument broke out between the members of the two theater parties and their performers. Both parties then started throwing stones, glass bottles, bricks, and other objects at each other with the intention to kill. The duty officer and villagers tried to intervene and stop them, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Instead, the theater party members assaulted the police personnel, used obscene language, and threatened to kill the officers on duty by pelting stones if they attempted to interrupt.
In the clash, dozens of people sustained injuries. The miscreants deliberately attacked each other. Meanwhile, the Ramapali party threw a crackers which exploded.
The police team overpowered the miscreants and brought the situation under control. The injured persons were immediately shifted to MKCG Hospital, Berhampur, for treatment.
It has been ascertained that Rakesh Kumar Swain, Panchanan Swain, Gundicha Swain, Bhagirthi Swain, Deeban Kumar Swain, and others from village Ramapali, along with Brunadaban Swain, Nirmal Pradhan, Manas Swain, Kanhu Pradhan, and Pintu Patra from village Gobindapur, were actively involved in attacking the police and the public. With the help of the villagers, the matter was brought under control. The situation is now stable. Ten persons have been arrested and forwarded to the Hon’ble Court. Investigation is continuing.