'Trap' set for wild boars electrocutes farmer in Balangir

BALANGIR: A farmer died after coming in contact with an electrified trap laid for wild boars by two farmers in Karuanjhar village under Deogaon police limits in Balangir district on Monday. The deceased was identified as Ananga Mallick ( 47).
Police started a probe into the incident after family members of Mallick lodged a murder case against the farmers, who had laid the trap. The police said Mallick came in contact with the wire when he was going fishing at night.
"When Mallick did not return home late in the night, his son Rupesh went in search of him and spotted his father lying on the ground. Rupesh also received an electric shock when he touched his father. He then removed the wire with a wooden plank and dragged his father's body away," a police officer said.
"The deceased's family lodged a complaint against their neighbour, Gangadhar Sahu and his son, for laying the wire with the intention of killing Mallick as they are involved in a land dispute. The accused duo are absconding," said Tarabati Padhan, inspector in-charge, Deogaon police station.
According to preliminary investigation, the police found that the trap was laid to protect crops from wild boars as the village is located close to the forest. "The accused had connected the trap to the lift irrigation point. Ananga's body was handed over to his family after autopsy," said Padhan.