With the Odisha Panchayat elections around the corner, a Samiti member was allegedly shot dead in Bargarh district late last night. The deceased has been identified as Achyutananda Nayak- Samiti member of Agalpur.He was allegedly shot on Thursday night on the Sinajori Kebat Canal Road under Dunguripali police station limits.Nayak’s body was later recovered from inside a car on the canal road. According to Sabhapati Nayak, the deceased’s father, Achyutananda travelled to Bargarh in a car on Thursday to collect money. “At around 8 pm, someone called him and asked him to come and collect Rs 10,000. Later, while we were having dinner, he told me that he was leaving, and then he left. I don’t know that person. He called repeatedly and asked him to come quickly,” he said.Upon receiving the information, police from Dunguripali and Barpali police stations reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.Further investigation into the exact cause of the incident was underway at the time of reporting.Meanwhile, such violence ahead of the Odisha Panchayat elections, set to be held in early 2027, is seen as a cause of grave concern. Locals believe that police need to brace up and start more night patrolling to avoid such crimes during this crucial period.
Ahead of Odisha Panchayat elections, Samiti member shot dead in Bargarh; probe begins
