Bhubaneswar, October 7: Condemning the murder of senior lawyer and BJP leader Pitabasa Panda, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday directed the police administration to identify and apprehend those involved in the crime and ensure exemplary punishment is given to them.

Panda was shot dead at point-blank range in full public glare near his residence in Berhampur on Monday night by unidentified miscreants.

Maintaining that Odisha is a peaceful State and such inhuman activities cannot tolerated at any cost, the Chief Minister directed the police administration to trace the accused involved in the incident and take exemplary action against them.

“Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow over the brutal and inhuman murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda of Berhampur yesterday. Strongly condemning the incident, he has directed the police administration to identify and apprehend those involved in the crime and ensure exemplary punishment is given to them. The Chief Minister stated that Odisha is a peaceful state and such heinous and inhuman acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said a CMO communiqué.

“He has also extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the late Pitabas Panda," it stated.

For the context, Panda left his chamber in Park Street at around 9.40 PM and was heading home on his scooter. He was hardly 50 metres away from his residence at Brahma Nagar under Baidyanathpur police limits when two bike-borne miscreants fired two rounds at him from close range, aiming at his chest.

He tried to run for his life, but collapsed after covering a few metres. Locals picked him up and rushed him to MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH) on a bike. However, he was declared dead by the doctors.

Panda was a member of the Odisha Bar Council and president of several trade unions. A renowned RTI activist, Panda also fought to expose corruption.

Tags: prameyanews Crime Murder