Post News Network
Cuttack, August 31: Police Monday arrested seven persons for attempting to murder Ranihat Malisahi Puja Committee general secretary Bijay Kumar Raut August 22.
The accused first opened fire at him and later hurled petrol bombs in their attempt to kill Raut, police said. The attack was the fallout of extortion-related rivalry, DCP Sanjeev Arora said.
Police recovered `36,300 in cash, two guns, 12 bullets, and three bombs from the possession of the arrested persons. Two motorcycles used in the crime were also seized. Police said Raut was standing near Hotel Chilika along Bajrakabati Road when six miscreants reached there on two bikes and fired at Rout. Luckily for Rout, none of the bullets hit him.
The accused then hurled bombs at him. While one bomb hit Raut’s motorcycle, another bomb went off on the road. Raut sustained minor injuries in the attack. Mangalabag police registered a case on the basis of a complaint lodged by Raut and launched an investigation to arrest the accused.
The accused were identified as Rajesh Pal alias Raja, Sibabrata Swain alias Linkan, Chandan Behera alias Chandu and Pradip Kumar Behera of Ranihat Malisahi and Krushna Chandra Behera, Purnachandra Behera alias Happy and Amrit Patnaik alias Chiku of Gopalsahi in Khannagar.
Police said Raja is the mastermind who orchestrated the attack to take revenge on Raut.
According to police, two miscreants had opened fire at Raja September 23, 2013. Raja was seriously injured in the attack which he believed was orchestrated by Raut. The two were at loggerheads ever since and Raja was on the lookout for an opportunity to take revenge, said Arora.