Festival Turns group Clash; Theatre Party members assaulted Police at Village Markandi; Ten persons arrested by Golanthara Police
Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta
Berhampur,( 28/5/26): Today police aid, 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.
Violent clashes broke out in Markandi village under Golanthara police limits during a late-night Thakurani Yatra performance, leaving over 10 people critically injured. The dispute, originating from a Mahabharat drama performance, escalated into a fierce battle between two groups.
The incident occurred in Markandi village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Golanthara police station in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
the ODRP Colony. A heated argument broke out among youths from both groups, and the situation quickly escalated into stone pelting and stick attacks.
Sources.,more than twenty people sustained injuries in the clash. Ten of them suffered serious wounds and were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for treatment. The festive atmosphere turned chaotic as villagers fled the scene amid the violence.
Golonthara police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Officers launched an investigation to determine the cause of the dispute and identify those responsible for triggering the fight
Instead, the theater party members assaulted the police personnel, they 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.
From spot police team arrested
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.
Registered a case olice registered a caseGolanthara 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.
