Odisha woman shot at while plucking leaves in forest, hospitalised

A woman was critically injured after she was shot at by miscreants while plucking 'khali' leaves in a forest near Bedigoba under Bhanjanagar police limits in Ganjam. 

Though the incident had taken place last evening, she could not be taken to hospital immediately due to the unavailability of ambulance service. 

The injured woman identified as Swapna Sahu(34) was admitted to the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional hospital on Sunday.

As per reports, Swapna and her mother were collecting leaves in the forest last evening. All of a sudden, a bullet got stuck into her stomach. However, the mother-daughter duo could not see anyone around in the forest. 

Though the reason behind the shooting incident is yet to be ascertained, it was suspected that poachers targeting wild animals might have triggered the gun and the bullet missed the target.

Her mother somehow managed to bring injured Swapna home. Her mother had contacted for ambulance service, but it was not available last night. In the morning, Swapna was admitted to the Bhanjanagar hospital.      

Swapna’s mother Bhanumati Nayak said, ”The incident happened in the forest, but we are clueless about who shot at Swapna. We have not seen anyone at the place."

Report by Rakesh Kumar Panda