Man Critical After Being Shot At During Ram Navami Celebrations In Odisha’s Boudh; 1 Held

Boudh: A man was critically injured after miscreants opened fire during a kirtan on the occasion of Ram Navami at a village in Kantamal area of Odisha’s Boudh district.

As per information, one person has been arrested in connection with the incident that took place at Pipalpali village under the jurisdiction of Kantamal police station late on Wednesday night.

The injured, identified as Biswamitra Jani, was first rushed to the local hospital and later shifted to Raipur as his condition deteriorated.

Villagers overpowered accused Balabanta Nayak (21) of Sana Manamunda village of Khatkhatiya panchayat and handed him over to the police.

Sources said a procession was being held on the occasion or Ram Navami when miscreants disrupted the celebrations by opening fire. The crowd dispersed after the firing, but Jani, one of the organising members, sustained serious injuries and collapsed.

He was rushed to Kantamal hospital and then shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Boudh. He was later shifted to Raipur as his condition deteriorated.

While the exact cause of the firing is yet to be ascertained, preliminary investigation indicated that it was because of past enmity between two groups.

Police have registered a case and started interrogation of the accused after arresting him. Further investigation is underway.