Odisha: Bomb Hurled At Former Berhampur Mayor’s Car

Berhampur: Former mayor of Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Shiv Shankar Das, had a close shave when miscreants hurled a bomb at his vehicle here on Friday night.

According to sources, the incident occurred around 10.30 pm near Bada Sahi under Gosaninuagaon police limits when Das was returning home from hospital with his son. The front portion of the vehicle was damaged in the attack.

Though the reason behind the bomb attack is still not known, it is suspected to be the fallout of political enmity.

A close aide of late BJD leader Surjya Narayan Patro, Das was elected the first Mayor of the city in 2008. He, however, was expelled from the party later following a tiff with former Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chaupatnaik, the current BJD Ganjam district president. He then unsuccessfully contested the 2014 elections on BJP ticket. Following which, he withdrew from politics. He had again become active in the last few days, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Das has lodged a complaint with regards to the bomb attack with Gosaninuagaon police, which have initiated a probe into the incident.

Speaking to media, the former Mayor said that he was attacked to opposing ongoing corruption in the area. “It is the handiwork of mafia and political rivals,” he alleged.

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