Post News Network
Sambalpur, May 15: Even as 24 hours passed since the firing on actor Shanti Swarup Mishra and another person at the former’s house in Mishra Colony here, police were clueless about the culprit Friday.
While police were yet to unveil the mystery surrounding the incident and make any arrest, local residents raised doubt over the efficiency of investigators.
“We have registered a case under sections 452 and 307 of IPC as well as 25 and 27 of ARMS Act after actor Mishra’s son lodged a complaint with Ainthapali police station Thursday. We are investigating the case from different angles,” additional superintendent of police Sushil Kumar Panigrahi said.
Panigrahi also said that Ainthapali police seized three cartridges from the crime spot. The miscreant fled towards Fatak Railway Station after opening four rounds of fire on Mishra and Nitya Ranjan Patnaik when they were engaged in a discussion Thursday night, he added.
The ASP also failed to explain the reason behind the attack. “It is very difficult to state any reason behind the murderous attack on Mishra and Patnaik,” he said.
The official also informed that pistols, guns and other weapons are being smuggled to the town from Bihar.
“Police are taking measures to contain smuggling of arms and ammunitions. The real culprit behind the attack would be arrested soon,” Panigrahi added.
Sadar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Utkal Keshari Das said Mishra had a dispute with his brothers over sharing of paternal property. Mishra has also run-ins with his neighbours and others over the sale of the property, he said.
There are a number of civil cases involving Mishra and his neighbourers over sale of land. The cases are yet to be settled, he added.
Das, however, was confident of arresting the culprit soon. “We have been carrying out raids on several places of the town to nab the offender. The accused would be arrested soon,” Das said.
Mishra, who sustained two bullets in his chest, was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack Friday for specialised treatment while Patnaik, who was admitted to the district headquarters hospital, was shifted to VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla.
Sources said, a youth, who was in his early twenties, entered the house of Mishra with a book in his hand at around 9 pm Thursday. Later, he pulled out a gun from the book and opened four rounds before fleeing the spot.
Mishra has acted in Mana Akash, Bandhu Mohanty, Krushna Sudama and a few other Oriya films.