Social media spat turns violent: Two youths stabbed in Bhubaneswar
As attempts were made to broker peace between the factions, the tension spiraled out of control, culminating in a brutal knife attack.
Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident, two youths were critically injured in Bhubaneswar’s Bharatpur area on Friday after a clash between two rival groups turned violent over a social media post.
The confrontation, which unfolded in the Saiprasad slum locality under Bharatpur police limits, reportedly stemmed from a disagreement on a status update shared online. As attempts were made to broker peace between the factions, the tension spiraled out of control, culminating in a brutal knife attack.
According to eyewitnesses and police sources, members of one group allegedly attacked their rivals with sharp-edged weapons during a meeting convened to resolve the dispute. The victims, both in their early twenties, sustained deep stab wounds to their backs and shoulders and were rushed to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Doctors have confirmed their condition as stable.
“One moment we were discussing a compromise, and the next, they pulled out knives and attacked us. It all began with a social media status update that led to arguments and threats. No one thought it would come to this,” said one of the injured youths, speaking from his hospital bed.
The accused assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack.
Bharatpur police have launched a manhunt and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify and apprehend the culprits. Senior police officials confirmed that a case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.
Local residents expressed concern over the rising trend of digital disagreements spilling over into real-life violence. “It’s alarming how something as trivial as a post can spark such aggression. We fear for our children,” said one resident.
The police has appealed to the public to avoid inflammatory content on social media and to report any signs of group rivalry or brewing tensions.