Keonjhar: Domestic violence over alcoholism has claimed yet another life in the district with a 48-year-old daily labourer killing his spouse in an inebriated state at a remote village.

The latest murder is the fifth incident with the offenders killing their close relatives under the influence of country liquor.

Pradeep Bentakar, 48, a daily labourer, beat his wife to death at his home at Barakhandia village in Jhumpura police limits on Thursday night.

The accused returned home drunk and was locked in verbal duel with his wife, Kalindi Bentakar, 35. As the woman rebuked him for perpetrating alcoholic nuisance, Pradeep picked up a lathi and hit her on head which turned fatal, the police said on Thursday. Kalindi profusely and died on the spot. Family members were in outstation when the incident took place. Later, a repentant Pradeep surrendered before the police.

The assailant surrendered and confessed to the crime. He was booked under the Indian Penal Code Section 302 (murder) and was later produced in court on Friday, the police said. "It was an unintended murder. The accused was an alcohol addict. He had dealt the lethal blow on wife in a sudden fit of rage," a police official said.

Alcoholic violence in homes has claimed four lives in the district in recent past. "Alcoholism had become rampant in hamlets predominantly inhabited by tribal people. The alcoholic habits of male earning members are breaking up the families. The alcohol-induced violence is being reported at regular intervals in various police station areas of the district.

The police are trying to involve civil society groups for sensitising people to give up liquor addiction," said sub-divisional police officer Sriharsha MIshra.