Kendrapara: A Dalit man named Kishore Sethy, 35, of Kandira was shot dead Monday when some people opened fire at villagers in an attempt to rescue one of their associates who was being detained by them.
SDPO Ranjan Kumar Dey of Pattamundai said Sipua Rout of Paschimaveda in Rajnagar police limits had enmity with Hemant Rout of Kandira.
To settle scores, Sipua alias Pabitra Rout and two of his associates, came in a car to Kandira and unleashed terror after asking Rabindra Sethy, the uncle of Hemant, about the whereabouts of his nephew.
The villagers, with the help of Rabindra and his nephew, Hemant, managed to overpower Sipua and detained him. They also seized two loaded pistols from him, tied him up and assaulted him.
The two associates of Sipua managed to flee. The villagers later handed over the two revolvers to local choukidar Trilochan Sethy.
After half an hour Bikram Rout, his brother, Salua Mohanty of Kandira, the son of Musa Rout and the son of Kanhu Rout of Bhitargada came on two bikes and started terrorising the villagers to rescue Sipua.
Bikram allegedly fired three rounds towards the villagers. While one bullet missed, a dog was killed by the second bullet. Kishore was hit by the third bullet fired by Bikram and was killed.
The attackers fled after firing the bullets. Rajnagar police seized the body and the empty case of a bullet.
The body was sent for autopsy to Aul CHC. Locals later handed over Sipua to Rajnagar police.
Demanding the arrest of the attackers and compensation for the deceased’s family the villagers Monday blocked the road by burning tyres at Jali Chowk and later at the Rajnagar Bridge. They also kept Kishore’s body at the protest site.
SP Niti Sekhar and SDPO Dey rushed to the spot with a magistrate. The SP assured the protesters that the police would arrest the attackers soon.
The Collector sanctioned Rs 10,000 to the family of the deceased from the District Red Cross Fund, and the villagers called off the protest.
The SP said Rajnagar police registered a case and arrested Sipua.
A special team raided the suspected hideouts of the attackers to arrest them.
The deceased is survived by his pregnant wife and a minor daughter.
PNN