Miscreants attack ward member, set his bike on fire in Odisha

 A ward member has sustained multiple injuries after he was allegedly attacked by some unidentified miscreants at Khaira Munipada chhak in Balasore district. The injured, Dipak Panigrahi of Dalanga village who is the member of ward number 6, has been admitted to a hospital in critical condition.

As per initial reports, around six to seven youths from Tutha village allegedly attacked Panigrahi. It is suspected that the ward member was assaulted over some past rivalry.

Sources said that Panigrahi had earlier picked up some dispute with some youths of Tutha village some five to six days back. On Saturday, Panigrahi was attacked by some masked men with plastic pipes. The miscreants also set his bike on fire. The motorcycle of the ward member has been partly damaged in the incident.

Though the miscreants had covered their faces, Panigrahi claims that he has identified some of the attackers. Based on the complaint filed by Panigrahi, police have started an investigation into the incident.

(Reported by Niranjan Behera)