Khurda: Even as people of Khurda were busy celebrating the first day of Raja, considered an important festival in this part of Odisha, one person was shot dead on Sunday morning.
The murder took place at Bada Sabar Sahi of Dadhimachhagadia under Sadar police station. On being informed, police reached the spot and started the investigation.
According to the preliminary investigation, the nickname of the victim was Lala.
Police suspect that four persons were involved in the murder which was a fall-out of stone mining or brown sugar smuggling.
According to eye-witnesses, there was a heated exchange of words between some people and Lala on Saturday evening. Lala had reportedly refused to give the extortion money demanded by them.
Police have launched a manhunt to trace the accused who are absconding.