Odisha: Murderous assault on BJP chief and two supporters 

By Express News Service

BERHAMPUR:  Tension flared up in Masihakhali village inside Sadar police limits on Tuesday after an try was made on the lifetime of a former sarpanch and two of his supporters. Police mentioned former sarpanch Manoj Sethi, a BJP chief, and his supporters Shankar Jena and Durga Prasad Pradhan sustained severe accidents within the assault. While Sethi has been admitted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Jena and Pradhan are present process therapy in MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.

Though the precise purpose behind the assault is but to be ascertained, police suspect it to be resulting from outdated enmity and political variations. Sources mentioned Sethi and his supporters had been attending the Sital Sasthi Yatra within the village on Monday night time. All of a sudden, an altercation broke out between the previous sarpanch and his rivals over some situation.

Soon, round 20 individuals armed with sharp weapons reached the spot and attacked Sethi and his two supporters. When fellow villagers rushed to the spot, the assailants fled leaving the trio in a pool of blood. Sethi, Jena and Pradhan sustained deep wounds on the pinnacle and different elements of the physique. While they had been rushed to the hospital, Sadar police arrived on the spot after being knowledgeable by villagers.

On the day, Sethi’s household lodged a grievance basing on which police registered a case. Sadar SDPO SS Mohapatra and IIC Mahendra Sahu visited Masihakhali for investigation. Armed police have been deployed within the village.

Villagers mentioned Sethi was attacked by employees of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The native BJP and BJD teams had been at loggerheads for the reason that panchayat elections held earlier this yr. Notably, Berhampur police district has reported over 10 post-poll clashes in addition to 4 murders for the reason that panchayat elections.