Bhubaneswar, Oct 25: Tension gripped Jogadhari Square near the Jagatsinghpur bus stand late Friday night after a betel shop owner was found brutally murdered, sending shockwaves through the local community. The deceased has been identified as Gyanranjan Pothal, a resident of Pokpur area under Jagatsinghpur district.

According to sources, Gyanranjan, who ran a small betel shop near the square, usually returned home after closing his business. However, when he did not return home on time, his worried wife, accompanied by a neighbour, went out in search of him. To their horror, they discovered Gyanranjan lying in a pool of blood in front of his shop.

Police rushed to the spot soon after being informed and recovered a sharp-edged chopper, suspected to be the murder weapon. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, and a manhunt has been launched to trace the unidentified assailant.

While the exact motive behind the gruesome killing remains unclear, police suspect personal enmity or a business-related dispute. The incident has sparked panic and outrage among locals, who have demanded swift action against the perpetrator.

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