Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: Police have made a major breakthrough in the murder of a minor boy in Chilika and arrested 18 persons, including the prime accused, Ganesh Das. The arrests were made within 48 hours of the registration of the case.

According to Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh, all the arrested persons are residents of Chandraput village in Khordha district. The incident took place on August 11 under Krushnaprasad police station limits.

The deceased minor has been identified as Omm Shikari. Two other persons also sustained injuries in the incident. During the investigation, police seized three boats and a wooden plank allegedly used in the crime.

Following the incident, an intensive investigation was launched under the direct supervision of the SP. The case was initially registered as kidnapping with an attempt to murder. However, based on evidence gathered during the probe, the case was subsequently reclassified as dacoity with murder.

Considering the seriousness of the crime and the alleged involvement of an inter-district gang of prawn pirates, multiple police teams were formed under the supervision of the SDPO, Puri Sadar, and the IIC of Krushnaprasad police station. The teams conducted searches across Puri, Ganjam and Khordha districts based on specific intelligence.

Simultaneous raids led to the arrest of all 18 accused within 48 hours. Police said the arrested persons are being interrogated to establish their individual roles, reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that resulted in the minor’s death.

Further legal action will be taken according to law, the SP said.

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