Keonjhar: A contractor was shot dead in Ward-VI of Barbil municipality in this district Monday, police informed Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Sunil Sinha, who was an influential businessman and local BJD leader in Barbil locality.
Eyewitnesses said Bhola was returning home on his two-wheeler when some miscreants shot him from close range. They informed the police who reached the spot and found Bhola lying in a pool of blood.
He was immediately rushed to the Barbil community health centre (CHC) where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police have begun a probe into the incident and have also pressed a forensic team into service. A couple of used cartridges have been recovered from the spot.
Police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the killing.
However, sources said that it could be due to past enmity in business dealings. A manhunt has been launched to nab the miscreants.
PNN