Express News Service By

BALANGIR/CUTTACK:In a gruesome incident, a group of armed miscreants chopped off the hands of a 25-year-old youth at Raghavpali village in Balangir district on Tuesday.

The victim, identified as Khirod Mishra, was attacked by the group who cut off his hands with sharp weapons. On getting information, police rushed to the village and admitted Khirod in VSS Burla. Later, he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

Old rivalry between two groups was suspected to be the reason behind the incident. The attackers fled the village after committing the crime and efforts are on to nab them, Inspector in-charge of Sadar police station Anand Majhi said.

Three of the miscreants were identified as Gopinath Bhoi, Ajit Pradhan and Debraj Pradhan. Khirod, who was arrested earlier, was out on bail. Tension prevailed in the area after the incident and police are keeping a close watch on the situation.

Meanwhile, doctors at the SCBMCH termed Khirod’s condition as extremely critical even as a special team has been formed for his treatment.

A four-member team, led by head of Plastic Surgery department Prof Arun Kumar Choudhury and comprising Orthopaedics, Cardiovascular and hand surgeons is examining the possibility of replantation of the limbs that have been severed near the shoulder.

“Replantation of limbs is usually attempted within five hours. In this case, it has been over 12 hours and the severed arms have not been preserved properly like through ice packing. We are, however, analysing his case and also taking expert opinion. If possible, replantation may be attempted but saving his life is now the top priority”, Prof Choudhury said.