BHUBANESWAR: A youth, reportedly a supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was shot dead in broad daylight at Chandol bazaar area of Kendrapara district of the State on Friday afternoon.

The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. when two motor-cycle borne youths fired at Yubaraj Mohapatra. However, it was not immediately known whether it was related to political rivalry or the result of conflicts between two anti-social gangs.

According to the police, the assailants first had an altercation with the victim's younger brother Debaraj and as Yubaraj tried to intervene one of the youths fired at him from a close range. The victim, who sustained bullet injuries on his forehead, was rushed to the district headquarter hospital at Kendrapara town, about 10 km away from Chandol. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Killers flee

The killer duo fled the spot immediately after they fired at the victim. They fired in the air to keep the onlookers at bay. According to sources, Debraj, with whom the assailants had heated exchanges minutes before the killing, was earlier arrested by the police on two occasions.

Although no senior leader of political party had come out in support of the victim, the incident is likely to cast its shadow on the electioneering in Kendrapara.

As leaders belonging to different political parties reached the Kendrapara hospital on hearing about the incident, shopkeepers at Chandol area downed their shutters. Tension prevailed in the area till late in the evening. Senior administration and police officials reached the spot to control the situation.

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