‘RTI Activist Was Shot Dead For Raising Voice Against Corruption’

Kandhamal: Even as the mystery continues over the brutal murder of Right To Information (RTI) activist Abhimanyu Panda, a 5-member fact-finding team of Odisha Sochana Abhiyan recently visited the crime spot to collect more information in connection with the incident.

The delegation members suspect that Panda was shot dead by miscreants for raising voice against corruption. Moreover, Panda had recently sought information regarding a 'scam' in the construction of a hostel of Sarangagad College and 'corruption' in PDS rice.

It is suspected that Panda was also in the hit-list of some influential people who had encroached upon the land of Jagannath temple.

“The RTI activist was killed for raising his voice against corruption. We are not satisfied with the police probe as the officials have failed to unravel the murder mystery. We demand a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT),” said RTI activist, Prabir Pradhan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the RTI activist Abhimanyu Panda was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Patra Sahi on December 10. He was standing outside his residence when two bike-borne miscreants opened fire at him.

Panda, who sustained bullet injuries on his chest, was immediately rushed to Baliguda hospital but he died while undergoing treatment.