Cuttack, April 20: The crime branch today started probing into the murder of a BSF jawan, who was mercilessly beaten to death by some unidentified goons near Pahanga, under the Niali police limits.

The deceased jawan, Samir Ranjan Nayak, was allegedly beaten to death while he was on his way to meet his relative on April 6.

Police sources said Nayak was killed over a rivalry between two groups of Galabari and Erada village in Jagatsinghpur district over a jatra (open theatre) being performed in the area.

The goons intercepted Nayak, attacked him from behind near Pahanga chhak and murdered him.

The jawan, who had sustained severe injuries on his head and chest, was rushed to Niali hospital and later shifted to S.C.B Medical College and Hospital where he died. Nayak is survived by his wife Baijayantimala and two daughters.

Three persons, identified as Sailendra Nayak alias Fakira, Samir Rout and Sudhir Nayak, were arrested and produced before court in connection with the murder.

“We will extend our full cooperation to the crime branch in connection with the case,” said SDPO Abhimanyu Das.

Moreover, the special crime branch team would probe into the alleged detention and misbehaviour shown to Jagatsinghpur MLA Bishnu Das when he had gone to attend Nayak’s funeral on April 7.

On April 9, Das lodged an FIR regarding the incident and urged chief minister Naveen Patnaik seeking a probe by the crime branch into the murder.The family members of the deceased have expressed satisfaction over the crime branch probe.

“We would welcome any kind of impartial probe into the incident. Samir was the sole bread winner for our family. The crime branch should ensure that all other culprits involved are arrested,” said Pramod Nayak, Samir’s elder brother.