1 killed, 1 injured in post-poll violence in Ganjam

Berhampur: One villager was killed and one critically injured in an attack by miscreants at Rohigaon under Kukudakhandi block in Ganjam district late last night.

The deceased has been identified as Ashok Jena and a brother of BJD Kukudakhandi unit president Sanyas Jena.

The Rohigaon area is tensed following the incident and police have reached the spot to maintain law and order.

While Ashok accompanied by Srinibas Swain and some other villagers were on their way to call an artist for the Danda Nacha rehearsal last night at around 10 pm, the armed miscreants hiding in roadside bushes waylaid them near Nuasahi. Though some of the Ashok's associates managed to flee, the miscreants caught hold of Ashok and hit his head with a sword.

Also read: Post poll violence triggers unrest in parts of state

Meanwhile, Srinibas faced the attack as well when he tried to intervene into the matter and stop the attackers from hitting Ashok.

Both the victims with critical injuries were rushed to the MKCG hospital for treatment. However, when the condition of Ashok deteriorated, the family members shifted him a private hospital in Visakhapatnam where doctors declared him dead.

Ashok's body was brought to the MKCG hospital thereafter for post mortem.

The attack on Ashok is construed as a post-poll violence as the deceased is a staunch BJD supporter and the brother of the ruling party's local leader Sanyas Jena.

Also read: Uproar in Odisha Assembly on panchayat poll violence

Besides, eyewitnesses have identified the attackers of Ashok as supporters of another political party.

Notably, another brother of Sanyas was also attacked prior to the panchayat poll by some supporters of the other political party.

According to sources, the local police have chalked out a plan to nab the attackers of Ashok.