Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday expressed grief over the brutal murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda outside his residence in Odisha’s Berhampur city last night.
Strongly condemning the incident, the Chief Minister directed the police administration to identify the criminals involved and ensure exemplary punishment. He further stated that Odisha is a peaceful state, and such heinous and barbaric incidents will not be tolerated under any circumstances, a CMO release said.
The Chief Minister has also extended his deep condolences to the bereaved family, it added.
The 50-year-old senior advocate was shot dead by two bike-borne miscreants, who fired at him from close range, near his house at Brahma Nagar area at around 10 pm. Panda sustained bullet injuries on his chest and was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Panda was also a member of the State Bar Council and an RTI activist.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, who along with several BJP leaders rushed to the medical college and hospital upon hearing about the attack, expressed shock over the incident. He called Panda “a well-known and courageous leader who regularly raised his voice against corruption,” adding that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal described Panda’s death as a great loss to both the party and the society. He asserted that the government will act firmly, stressing that Odisha is a peaceful state and no anti-social elements will be spared. “Let the investigation continue. If there’s a political link, it will come out,” he added.
Police are currently analysing CCTV footage and forensic evidence to trace the attackers and establish the exact motive behind the killing.
