Beware of a ‘lotan payra’.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW DELHI: A 48 year-old man in Howrah punched his 50 year-old neighbor and friend to death on Sunday, after the two became embroiled in an argument over, of all things, a pigeon.
Nageswar Rai is currently on the lam from police, who are searching for him in connection to the murder of Navraj Singh, reports The Times of India. Singh was brought into the local Howrah hospital on Sunday night, and died of his injuries the following morning, having sustained lethal damage to internal organs.
The fight ensued after Singh brought a pigeon home from his job at the Howrah Municipal Corporation’s Conservancy Department. Singh gave a pigeon to Rai, insisting that he keep it in his care.
This pigeon, called a “lotan” or “noton payra,” is special because of its unique ability that allows it to roll on the floor on command. This rolling can only be stopped if a person picks up the bird and blows on it. Such specimens can cost as much as Rs. 2,500.
At first, Rai welcomed the pigeon, but eventually worried that stray cats might pose a threat to the bird. Some sort of verbal argument occurred over this, at which point the pigeon was let go of and got free, enraging Singh, as the bird was under his responsibility.
The two men then began brawling. Rai, an accomplished fighter, landed several blows on Singh, which eventually led to his death. Singh was rushed to the hospital, where he died, while his wife later notified police that Rai was the likely culprit.
Police are still in the process of locating Rai, at which point he will likely be charged with the crime.