Cattle smugglers open fire in Kendrapara, one injured

A youth was injured after being shot by suspected cattle smugglers in Naranpur area under the Sadar Police Station in the Kendrapara district late Thursday night. The victim has been identified as Akshaya Das of Pasta village, who sustained a bullet injury on his left thigh.

According to sources, around 3 am, a vehicle allegedly involved in cattle transportation was intercepted by a group of local youths at Gandakia Chhak. The youths had earlier raised objections over the same vehicle being used for illegal cattle movement.

While the group was questioning the vehicle, another Bolero car following behind reportedly arrived at the spot. Individuals inside the second vehicle allegedly attacked the youths, forcing them to flee inside the village to save themselves. The attackers, believed to be cattle smugglers, reportedly chased them into the village.

At the time of the incident, Das was asleep inside the village club house. Hearing the commotion, he stepped outside, where he was shot by the smugglers who had entered the village while pursuing the others. The bullet struck his left thigh.

He was immediately rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

“I was sleeping in the Naranpur clubhouse when they shot at me,” alleged Das.

A local alleged, “We were four people when they started threatening us. The situation worsened when they brandished a gun. Soon, two vehicles, including a Bolero carrying around 12 persons, reached the spot and opened fire. They even shot an innocent person.”

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Police reached the spot soon after the incident and have launched an investigation into the firing and the alleged cattle-smuggling activities. Authorities are verifying CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to identify the accused.