Rayagada,10/5: The brutal kidnapping and murder of a youth in Rayagada town in the wee hours of Sunday has once again raised serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the district headquarters, with residents expressing fear over the increasing incidents of violence and criminal activity in recent months.
The deceased has been identified as Nikhil Hadipa, a resident of Ambedkar locality under Reli Sahi in Rayagada town. According to police, he was allegedly abducted at gunpoint by a group of miscreants on Saturday night from the Indira Nagar 3rd Line area under Rayagada police station limits.
Police sources said the attackers chased Nikhil around 10 pm using a motorcycle and a four-wheeler. When he attempted to escape following an altercation, the accused allegedly opened fire before overpowering him and forcibly taking him away.
His body was later recovered near the Nagavali river at Tumbiguda on the outskirts of the town on Sunday morning.
The shocking incident triggered widespread panic and anger among local residents, many of whom questioned how such a violent crime could take place openly inside the town. Citizens and social observers pointed to a growing sense of insecurity amid recent incidents involving assaults, group clashes, intimidation, and other criminal activities in Rayagada town.
Following the incident, hundreds of residents from the Ambedkar locality staged a massive protest and gheraoed the Odisha Police station in Rayagada town, demanding immediate arrest of the accused and stronger action against rising criminal activities. Protesters also burned tyres on the road, leading to tension and disruption in the area.
The situation in Rayagada town remained tense throughout the day amid heavy public outrage over the incident.
Rayagada SP, along with a forensic team, visited the crime spot and launched an investigation into the kidnapping and murder case.
“We received a kidnapping complaint from the deceased’s mother around 12:50 am and immediately formed multiple teams for a rescue operation. However, this morning we learned that he had been murdered,” the SP said.
Police said the accused persons have been identified, and four separate teams have been formed to trace and arrest them.
However, questions are now being raised locally over whether valuable time was lost between the kidnapping complaint lodged around 12:30–12:50 am and the recovery of the body the following morning. Many residents believe the intervening hours were critical and are demanding clarity on the sequence of police action taken during the night.
The incident has intensified public demand for stronger policing, increased night patrolling, faster emergency response mechanisms, and stricter action against anti-social elements to restore public confidence and ensure safety in Rayagada town.
