Fact Check: Odisha Bomb Blast news shared with false Communal Angle

A crude bomb was hurled in Sambalpur city of Odisha on 27 March 2024. The incident took place at Pirbaba Chhak in the Town Police Station area on Tuesday night when the accused hurled a crude bomb that hit a parked motorcycle, with the splinters injuring three persons standing near the two-wheeler.

In reference to this incident, a claim has gone viral on the Internet. It is being shared that a Hindu has carried out an attack by blasting a bomb in Sambalpur, Odisha & as a Hindu is involved in the bomb blast, hence the media is not reporting on it.
Frequent fake news peddler account, Crime Reports India has shared the claim. Following the account other users have also shared a similar claim.

Fact Check

We investigated the viral claim. According to media reports dated 28 March 2024 by The New Indian Express, it mentioned that the police on Wednesday arrested a 19-year-old youth in connection with the incident.

The accused was identified as Abhilash Mishra of Sunaripara in Bada Bazar under Town police limits. Police said the accused confessed to committing the crime and it was an act of revenge. There was no communal angle in the incident, said the police official.

Furthermore, during the investigation, it was found that the accused had a personal rivalry with Sushil Paika, a member of an Instagram page called the ‘SBP Mafia Gang’. Paika had allegedly assaulted Mishra’s father once due to which he sought revenge. Subsequently, he allegedly planned to frame Paika in the bombing incident and also put the sticker of ‘SBP Mafia Gang’ on the bomb.

The Print mentioned that Sambalpur Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo told reporters,

“The injured persons are out of danger. The situation is under control and a detailed probe is

underway. One accused has been arrested,” ‘The Print’ also reported that no communal angle was observed by the police officials.

Conclusion

Hence, Officials have clarified that this act of violence was due to personal vendetta and not due to communal dispute. The accused had tried to avenge the attack on his father.