Chhatrapur: Tension continued in Ganjam district after the murder of Chhatrapur NAC Ward-6 BJD Councilor lawyer Laxmidutta Pradhan Saturday.
The police Sunday claimed to have identified the killers and have detained around 10 people.
“The killers were identified from CCTV footage from cameras near Pradhan’s house,” police said, adding that they were from Chhatrapur. Keeping in mind the case’s sensitivity Ganjam SP himself is monitoring it, sources said.
Police raided the houses of the killers Saturday night. But most of them had fled and their houses were locked. Later, the police raided the houses of their relatives.
Three special teams were set up for the investigation and four bikes used for the crime were seized. Two vehicles were earlier seized from the crime spot. A team conducted raids within the district while two other teams were given the responsibility to conduct raids on the hideouts of the killers outside the district.
Meanwhile, Chhatrapur police raided several places to arrest the criminals. Anybody found suspicious were detained.
Sources said Pradhan had enmity with several politicians. Pradhan was allegedly involved in the murder of CPI youth leader Sakura Behera who was killed in 2014. However, Pradhan managed to get bail from the High Court.
Things took an ugly turn after students owing allegiance to a political party attacked a student, who was a supporter of a rival party at the Government Science College, Chhatrapur, during the filing of nominations Saturday.
Over 10 supporters of the victim reached the spot with sticks and swords and unleashed terror. They came across Pradhan while he was talking to his supporters. Seeing the armed group everyone fled leaving behind Pradhan who fell prey to them. His brother also suffered serious injuries in the attack.
After the incident the two were admitted to Chhatrapur sub-divisional hospital. Later, Pradhan was shifted to the Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital where he died. PNN
