Ex-chairman of Buguda NAC shot dead

Berhampur: Local BJD leader and former chairman of the Buguda Notified Area Council (NAC) in Ganjam district A Bala Krushna Patra was shot dead by some unknown gunmen near Buguda town, about 75 km from here today, the police said.

Patra (52), a councillor in the NAC, was returning alone from Budhakhola riding a motorcycle when miscreants fired at him near Kharia Nalha, the police said.

Local residents rushed him to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him as brought dead.

The police have recovered his motorcycle and two empty cartridges from the spot.

Supporters of the ruling BJD in the area put up a road blockade and burnt tyres on Buguda-Aska road demanding immediate arrest of the culprits, said Amitabh Thakur, DIG (Southern Range).

"The situation is now under control after we convinced the people. The body was sent to MKCG Medical College for post mortem," he said.

"Our prime task is to nab the culprits soon," said Sub Divisional Police Officer, Bhanjanagar, R Sethi, but could not throw light on the exact reason behind the murder.

"We can't say about the exact reason. We will investigate the case from different angles, including political and business rivalry," he said.

The police have intensified patrolling in the nearby areas and police stations in the vicinity have been alerted.

"Since Patra was in liquor business, we can't rule out business rivalry," said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.

Patra was the chairman of Buguda NAC from 2008 to 2013. His wife, A Janaki Rani Patra is presently a councillor in the Buguda council.