Panic gripped South Nagpur after a youth was hacked to death and three others were injured in a gang war at Manewada Ghat on Saturday evening. The daylight attack spread fear among residents. Police said the murder was a result of an old rivalry between two gangs. Investigators said the accused had been searching for Pawan Suryavanshi since an earlier assault case. They tracked his movements through his Instagram account for nearly two months before luring him to the Ghat for a ‘settlement’ meeting, where he was attacked. The deceased was identified as Pawan Suryavanshi (18), a resident of Siddheshwari Slums.

 

The injured are Aman Kale, Ajay Solanki, and Dinesh Solanki. Aman Kale is reported to be in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital. Hudkeshwar police have registered a murder case against eight to ten accused. The main accused include Aman alias Kaka Chaurasia (20), Ajay Chaurasia, Vedant Kapse, Raunak Raut, Yash Sole and their associates. Police teams have launched a search to arrest them. According to the investigation, the rivalry between the two groups started around one-and-a-half months ago. In April, Pawan Suryavanshi, Aman Kale and Ajay Solanki allegedly attacked Aman alias Kaka Chaurasia with a knife in Ajni area. A case was registered at Ajni Police Station. Aman Kale and Ajay Solanki were later released after receiving notices, while Pawan remained absconding. Police said the accused were looking for Pawan ever since that incident. Investigators found that Vedant Kapse traced Pawan through his Instagram account. He allegedly followed Pawan’s social media activity for nearly two months to track his movements.

 

On Saturday, Pawan was contacted and told that both sides should meet and settle the old dispute. Pawan agreed to meet at the Manewada ghat around 4 pm. He reached the spot with Aman Kale, Ajay Solanki and Dinesh Solanki. However, police said the rival group was already waiting there. Soon after Pawan arrived, an argument broke out. During the heated exchange, one of the accused allegedly questioned Pawan over an earlier incident in which he had hit Aman Chaurasia with a vehicle. The argument turned violent. Police said one accused hit Pawan on the head with a large stone. Others then attacked him and his friends with sharp weapons and knives. The victims tried to escape from the Ghat. But the attackers chased them. Pawan was caught near the exit and repeatedly assaulted.

 

He collapsed in a pool of blood. Aman Kale was also seriously injured, while Ajay and Dinesh Solanki suffered injuries during the attack. After the attackers fled, local people alerted the police. Hudkeshwar police rushed to the spot and shifted all four injured men to the hospital. Doctors declared Pawan dead before treatment could begin. Aman Kale remains under medical care. Senior police officers inspected the crime scene and forensic experts collected evidence. CCTV footage from nearby areas is also being examined. Police believe the murder was a planned revenge attack linked to the earlier assault case.