Berhampur: A former Sarpanch and two of his associates were critically injured after being attacked with sharp weapons at Masiakhali village under Sadar police limits of Ganjam district late Monday night.
The victims have been identified as former Sarpanch Manoj Sethi, his associates Shankar Jena and Durga Prasad Pradhan. While they were first rushed to MKCG Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, Sethi was later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
Reportedly, during the Sital Sasthi festival at the village, they had gone to a pond to attend nature’s call when around 20 persons attacked them. Hearing their screams, villagers rushed to the spot that led the attackers to flee.
Political rivalry is suspected to be the reason behind the attack. It has been alleged that supporters of the present Sarpanch attacked them as they had supported an opposition party during the recent poll. They also had an altercation during the festival.
