In a shocking incident, a local BJP leader was shot dead in Odisha’s Berhampur near his residence late on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Pitabas Panda, a lawyer and member of the Odisha State Bar Council. According to the police, two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at Panda near his residence at around 10 pm on October 6.

After he got injured, he was immediately rushed to Berhampur’s MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead. Police rushed to the spot to find out if any CCTV footage was available. A probe into the matter has been initiated. 

BJP condemns killing

BJP State President Manmohan Samal visited the hospital to pay his respects to the slain leader. Other senior party members, including Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, BJP Organisation Secretary Manas Mohanty, and Berhampur MP Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, also mourned Panda’s death and expressed deep condolences to his family.