In a shocking incident that has stirred outrage across Odisha, two 16-year-old boys were tied to electric poles, burnt with cigarettes, and forced to drink urine by a group of villagers in the Balanga area of Puri district early Sunday morning.
What Happened?
The attack occurred after tensions escalated between two neighboring villages—Kotakasanga and Pradhan Sahi—during a local fair on Saturday evening. The next night, two teenagers from Birat Sahi village were passing through Kotakasanga, unaware that the area was still tense following the earlier clash.
Locals mistook the boys for residents of Pradhan Sahi—believed to be on the opposing side of the earlier confrontation—and decided to punish them without verifying their identities.
Tortured in Public View
According to reports, the boys tried to explain that they were from Birat Sahi, but their pleas were ignored. Instead, they were publicly humiliated and tortured.
One of the victims painfully recalled:
“They tied us to electric poles, beat us up, and pressed burning cigarette butts into our skin. Then they forced us to drink urine while dozens of people stood by watching.”
The second victim added:
“There were more than 50 people around. No one helped us. Instead, many recorded videos on their phones. We begged for mercy for half an hour before they finally let us go.”
This incident is more than just a case of mistaken identity—it reflects a disturbing trend of mob justice, desensitization, and public apathy.
Mob Mentality: The crowd’s decision to attack without verifying facts shows how dangerous rumor-fueled justice can be.
Bystander Inaction: Perhaps the most chilling aspect is how dozens of onlookers filmed the torture instead of stepping in or calling for help.
Mental Trauma: The physical injuries may heal, but the emotional scars left on these two teenagers will last a lifetime.
As videos of the horrific assault went viral, public anger intensified. Birat Sahi villagers are demanding swift justice. Jyoti Prakash Parida, a resident, stated:
“If immediate arrests aren’t made, we’ll gherao the police station. This cruelty must not go unpunished.”
The Balanga Police Station has already detained two suspects, and authorities are analyzing the footage to identify more culprits.
“We’re reviewing the viral videos and have already picked up two individuals. More arrests will follow. No one involved will be spared,” said Dibyaranjan Panda, officer in charge of the local police station.
This incident is more than just a case of mistaken identity—it reflects a disturbing trend of mob justice, desensitization, and public apathy.
Mental Trauma: The physical injuries may heal, but the emotional scars left on these two teenagers will last a lifetime.
Mob Mentality: The crowd’s decision to attack without verifying facts shows how dangerous rumor-fueled justice can be.
Bystander Inaction: Perhaps the most chilling aspect is how dozens of onlookers filmed the torture instead of stepping in or calling for help.
