Three members of a family, including a nine-year-old boy, were hacked to death in Chhattisgarh’s Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district in the early hours of Tuesday. Two others, including a pregnant woman, are battling for life after the brutal attack.
Police said the incident occurred at Jhal village in the Dongarpali region. The accused, identified as Tulsi Sarthi (26), allegedly entered the house while the family was asleep and attacked them with an axe.
The deceased have been identified as Mando Bai Sarthi (62), Rajesh Sarthi (36) and Prashant Sarthi (9). The injured — Kumar Sai Sarthi (65) and Shakuntala Sarthi (30), Rajesh’s wife who is pregnant — are undergoing treatment at Raigarh Medical College and are said to be in critical condition.
Accused arrested, weapon recovered
Senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Anjaneya Varshney and Additional SP Nimisha Pandey, reached the village soon after the incident was reported. A forensic team collected evidence from the scene, and security was tightened as panic spread among residents.
Police said the accused attempted to flee but was tracked and arrested. An axe allegedly used in the crime was later recovered from a pond in a nearby forest.
Old rivalry suspected
Preliminary inquiries indicate a long-standing dispute between the two families. Locals told investigators that tensions had persisted for nearly five years following an earlier altercation. However, officials stated that the exact motive is still under verification and all angles are being examined.
Police have registered a case and are questioning the accused. Post-mortem examinations have been completed, and further investigation is underway.
The shocking incident has left the village in grief and fear, with residents demanding strict action against the accused.
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