Two BJD Leaders Killed In Odisha’s Ganjam, Political Rivalry Suspected

Berhampur: Two BJD leaders — Saroj Patra and Sudarshan Suar — of Palajhadi village under Chasanimakhandi panchayat were killed near their village in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Saturday night. The village falls under Digapahandi police station. Political enmity is suspected to be behind the double murder.

Both were returning from Bhismagiri to their village on a bike when a group of miscreants stopped them outside the village and attacked them.

Both were immediately shifted to Digapahandi hospital after a tractor driver spotted them. While Sudarshan died at Digapahandi hospital, Saroj was shifted to MKCG Hospital in Berhampur, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police are investigating the incident. As the situation is tense, police force has been deployed in the village to avoid any untoward incident.

A meeting between the groups of defeated and elected candidates of the recently concluded panchayat polls was held in Palajhadi village on Saturday. Members of both groups had exchanged heated words over some issues, sources said.