Cuttack, Oct. 19: The son of a BJD sarpanch was murdered today at Bileipada panchayat in Banki sub-division.

The deceased has been identified as Manas Swain, 26, the son of sarpanch Sanjulata Swain. Banki police have detained three persons in connection with the murder, but no FIR has yet been lodged.

Around 10 to 15 criminals allegedly abducted Manas, when he had gone to the village pond for bath.

“I was at my shop when around 15 youths came to Manas and attacked him with iron rods and sharp weapons. As the attackers outnumbered us, we ran for cover. But when we returned, we found Manas lying in a pool of blood,” said eyewitness Sarbeswar Sahu.

Manas, with head injuries, was rushed to Banki hospital. But, the doctors declared him brought dead.

“Adequate police force has been deployed at the village as tension still persists in the area,” said Banki inspector in-charge Niranjan Padhi.

The police said Manas had an argument with a few local youths, and later, there was a tussle between the BJD supporters and those of the rival party around 8pm yesterday. In the face of the unrest, patrolling was on in the area till 1pm yesterday, Padhi said.

Manas’s family members said a group of people, suspected to be of the rival party, had threatened him.

“I had gone to Banki Mahotsav last evening when I came to know about the clash. Today, Manas was murdered,” said the victim’s uncle Aparticharan Swain.

Two platoons of police were deployed in the area after a mob had ransacked a motorcycle after the incident.