Hockey player fatally attacks another in Odisha, held

ROURKELA: A 22-year-old hockey player fatally struck another player, also 22, on the head with a hockey stick after he refused to hand over his stick in a village in Odisha's Sundargarh district Thursday evening, prompting police to arrest him Saturday, reports Malay Ray.

The accused, Bipin Dungdung, from Deobahal Karampada village, and other players were scheduled to play a match in another village. Bipin went to Arban Kerketta's house and asked for his hockey stick to perform a puja before the match. Arban refused, sparking an argument. Bipin hurled abuses, and Arban slapped him. In a fit of rage, Bipin struck Arban on the head with a hockey stick, causing him to collapse, police said.

Arban's family rushed him to Sabdega Community Health Centre and then to VIMSAR in Burla, where doctors declared him brought dead. On Friday, Arban's uncle, Dilip Kerketta, lodged an FIR at Talsara police station against Bipin. "We are probing the case," said Sundargarh SDPO, N Mohapatra.