A local BJP leader was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Odisha’s Berhampur on Monday night, police said. The deceased, Pitabas Panda, a lawyer and member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was attacked around 10 pm at Brahmanagar, under Baidyanathpur police limits.
According to police, two bike-borne assailants opened fire, hitting Panda in the chest. He was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in critical condition but was declared dead on arrival.
Panda, who had earlier been associated with the Congress party before joining the BJP a few years ago, was known for actively raising issues related to alleged irregularities in Berhampur city and Ganjam district during the previous government’s tenure.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the local political community. Police have launched a probe to identify and arrest the culprits, while the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Reports noted that the firing occurred while Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek and Baidyanathpur Inspector-in-Charge Suchitra Parida were reportedly on leave.
State Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, who along with several BJP leaders rushed to the medical college and hospital upon hearing about the attack, condemned the incident.
He called Panda “a well-known and courageous leader who regularly raised his voice against corruption,” adding that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
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