Patana: A 42-year-old businessman, whose wife is a police constable, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bhimapada forest on the Kendeiposi-Patana road.
The incident took place late Monday night.
Sources said the suspected robbers also attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and fled with his cash bag. The incident has triggered panic in the area. The deceased was identified as Trilochan Mahanta of Khajiraposi village under Kendeiposi panchayat.
He ran a Jana Seva Kendra, banking service centre and electronics shop at Kendeiposi market. According to police and family members, Mahanta was returning to Patana on his scooter after closing his shops when the assailants intercepted him in the forested stretch between Hanuman Chhak and Rasik Chhak. He was speaking to his wife, Tulasi Mahanta, a constable posted at Patana police station, over the phone when the attack took place. Mahanta reportedly told her that he had been intercepted and asked her to send an emergency response team.
Police reached the spot within about 15 minutes but the assailants had fled. Mahanta sustained gunshot wounds and multiple injuries from a sharp weapon to his chest and abdomen. He was found lying in a pool of blood and was taken to Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Kendujhar, where doctors declared him dead. Police recovered his scooter, watch, helmet and spent cartridges from the spot.
Senior officers, scientific and forensic teams examined the scene and collected samples. Superintendent of Police Kusalkar Nitin Dagudu said three special teams had been formed to trace the assailants. He said the absence of CCTV cameras in the remote area was making the investigation difficult.
A case (255/26) has been registered at Turumunga police and SI Sabita Naik is conducting the investigation. Meanwhile, hundreds of women and traders blocked the road at Kendeiposi Tuesday, demanding a police outpost in the area and immediate arrest of the culprits. The protest was withdrawn after police assured them of prompt action. Local traders also observed a shutdown in honour of Mahanta.
