Speaking to the media on Saturday, Raygada SDPO Rashmi Ranjan Senapati and IIC KKBK Kanhar said the student, Pramod Kalaka of Similiguda village of Sesakhal Hata in Sadar block, was a victim of honour killing.

The arrested persons, Dipan Kumar Himirika of Khilamisaguda in Rayagada block, Murali Kandagiri and Hemant Jilakara, have been forwarded to court.

Dipan’s sister was in love with Pramod, who was the nephew of former Zilla Parishad president Gangadhar Puala. Though their families had previous enmity and opposed their relationship, Pramod and Dipan’s sister had decided to get married.

On Friday morning, Dipan and his two accomplices confronted Pramod at Gautam Nagar and told him to discontinue relationship with his sister. As Pramod did not agree, an argument ensued.

The argument escalated into violence as Dipan and two others beat up Pramod and attacked him with a knife. As Pramod died on the spot due to excessive bleeding, the three accused fled.

After Pramod’s brother Pradip Kalaka filed a complaint against Dipan, the police started investigation. They arrested all the three accused on Friday evening, the SDPO said.