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Two shot dead, one injured

BERHAMPUR: Two persons were killed and another was seriously injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on Dharakote block premises in Ganjam district on Friday.

The incident occurred while a meeting of the block level consumer committee was being held inside the block office. This meeting was being attended by the Surada MLA, Kishore Chandra Singhdeo, chairman of the Dharakote block, Shanti Devi and block officials. Discussions were being held to choose new kerosene dealers for areas in the block. According to eyewitnesses like Congress Nayak, who was a participant of the meeting, they suddenly heard some gunshots outside the block office and rushed outside.

A group of around four masked persons had reached the block office on a jeep. They had fired at the persons taking rest on the verandah of the block office. Three persons received bullet wounds. By the time the security guards at the block office could take any action realizing the gravity of the situation, the assailants managed to escape from the spot on their jeep.

Out of the three victims of this firing incident, Hari Swain of Jahada village died on the spot. Kanhu Pradhan of Haripur and Sudarsan Swain of Jahada were carried to the MKCG medical college hospital in a serious condition. Kanhu died in the medical college hospital and Sudarsan isfighting for life.

Ganjam District Collector V.K.Pandian and Superintendent of Police (SP), Devadutta Singh rushed to Dharakote to take note of the situation. The reason for this attack and the identity of persons involved in it was yet to be ascertained. It is suspected that political rivalry may be behind this attack as kerosene dealership plays a major role in rural politics.

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