Man lynched, 18 detained in Odisha

A 32-year-old man, allegedly involved in a number of crimes, was lynched at Regedi village, about 20 km from here, police said today.
Suresh Pradhan was smashed on his head with a stone and his legs were severed with a sharp weapon last night, police said, adding that he was attacked when he along with one of his accomplices came to the village on a motorcycle.
The two allegedly had an altercation with a group of youths who were present at a community Ganesh puja pandal in the village.
Subsequently a clash ensued between the two sides and Suresh was attacked with sharp weapons. His accomplice, however, managed to flee, the police said.

Police recovered the body and later detained 18 people of the village for questioning.
Most of the villagers fled fearing arrest, Berhampur Sadar sub-divisional police officer A K Mohanty said, adding that old enmity might be the cause of the brutal killing.