Jagatsinghpur: Tension prevailed high at Katara market near Tirtol in Jagatsinghpur district following a group clash over a liquor shop Sunday.
The clash took an ugly turn after a youth, who along with other villagers opposed the presence of a liquor shop in the market, was shot at by the supporters of the liquor shop owner. He was identified as Biswajit Beura alias
Lipu (25), who has been battling for his life.
Biswajit from Kadang village sustained two bullet injuries on his left thigh. He was rescued in a critical condition and admitted to Jagatsinghpur government hospital.
Later, he was shifted to Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Besides Biswajit, many other persons were also injured in the clash.
According to sources, locals of Katara and other neighbouring villages raised their opposition against the presence of a liquor shop in the market. They demanded it to be closed or be shifted to another place. This created a rift between the villagers and the liquor shop owner’s supporters.
In an act of revenge, supporters of liquor shop owner targeted Biswajit. Four miscreants attacked Biswajit while he was going to the market for some work.
They assaulted him and later opened fire at him, before fleeing the scene. This spread tension in the area as the angry villagers attacked the supporters of the owner and ransacked the liquor shop.
“No police complaint was lodged in this connection so far. However, we are investigating the matter and will arrest the miscreants,” Tirtol IIC Balram Nayak said.
PNN
