Rourkela: The district police on Friday detained 3 suspects including a noted businessman on charges of conspiring to kill ex-councillor Ashesh Mohanty alias Bulu by hurling bombs at him in Basanti Colony area of the Steel City last night.
Police sources said, Bulu was returning home in a two-wheeler at around 9 pm when two bike-borne miscreants hurled bombs at him and fled the spot.
Bulu, who received critical injuries in the attack, was immediately rushed to Ispat General Hospital (IGH).
Rourkela SP K Shiva Subramani reached the spot to initiate a probe into the incident. Later after preliminary investigation, police took three suspects including a noted businessman of the city into custody.
Police along with a bomb disposal team conducted searches and seized a live bomb from the spot of attack today morning. The explosive was later detonated under contolled conditions in presence of police.
Briefing mediapersons, SP K Shiva Subramani said, “The miscreants used bottle bomb, a low-explosive but improvised device in the explosion."
“After primamry investigation into the incident, we have apprehended three suspects and are also investigating the involvement of other persons in the attack. The attack is moast probably because of the fallout of personal rivalry," added the SP.
Sources said, the detained businessman who is stated to be the mastermind behind the incident had reportedly given a contract of Rs 20 lakh contract to the other two suspects to eliminate Bulu.
A few years ago, Bulu was arrested by the State Crime Branch over his alleged links with the gangter Dhalasamanta brothers. He was also stated to be involved in many criminal cases such as attempt to murder, supplying arms to the crime syndicate of D-brothers, rioting, dacoity and criminal intimidation.
In 2010, Bulu had also suffered a similar attack over business enmity but he narrowly escaped, reports added.