Farm help kills employer over cellphone

Kanthi Ram Rathia (55), a tribal farmer, had hired Roopdhar (35) for assisting in his farm work in Raikera village of the district and had given him a cellphone for the purpose.

However, Roopdhar demanded a new and expensive model from his employer, which Rathia refused to provide, Raigarh SP Anand Chhabra said.

The accused approached Rathia in an inebriated state last night and demanded money for buying the new cellphone which led to an altercation between the two.

Roopdhar then hacked to death the farmer and his son Neelmadhav (30), who was also present at the time, and fled from the scene.

Villagers informed the police about the incident when they spotted the bodies, Chhabra said, adding that a search has been launched to nab the accused.