Bhubaneswar, July 7: Rivals chopped off the hands of one Khirod Mishra, 25, at Raghavpalli in Balangir district today.

A profusely bleeding Mishra was first taken to Balangir district headquarters hospital and then to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research at Burla for treatment.

His condition deteriorated and was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Police said 20 people were involved in the attack. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the accused.

According to the police, Mishra was going to a nearby pond to take a bath when he was attacked by a group of people hiding in the nearby bushes.

Before Mishra could realise or retaliate, he was rendered immobile by the attackers. They chopped off both his hands with a sharp weapon.

His family members found him lying on the banks of the pond and bleeding profusely. On getting information, Balangir Sadar police personnel rushed to the spot and later recorded Mishra's statement at the hospital.

Inspector in-charge of Sadar police station Anand Chandra Majhi said preliminary investigation suggested that around 15 to 20 people were involved in the attack. He said Mishra and his rivals were involved in a group clash last month and today's attack was the result of past rivalry.

"We have learnt that several people of Raghavpalli village were involved in the attack. They chopped off Mishra's hands to take revenge. His attackers had just been released from jail on bail," said Majhi.

Officials said that the two rival groups used to clash frequently to establish their supremacy in the village. Balangir police have formed a task force to conduct raids at different places to arrest the accused.