Baripada (Mayurbhanj): A man was critically injured after suspected cattle smugglers allegedly opened fire during a late-night chase near Jugpura under the Baisinga police limits in Mayurbhanj district, police said on Wednesday.
The injured, identified as Ramesh Biswal alias Dipu, a resident of Jugpura village, sustained bullet injuries to his stomach and was rushed to the Baisinga Community Health Centre for treatment.
According to reports, the incident took place late on Tuesday night when a group of suspected cattle smugglers were transporting cows in two vans through an interior route via Jugpura, allegedly to avoid the main road. Local cow vigilantes, who spotted the vehicles, chased them on suspicion.
During the pursuit, Biswal and a few others attempted to intercept the vans near Kadalia Chhak. In a bid to escape, the occupants of the vehicles allegedly attacked the group and opened fire, hitting Biswal before fleeing towards Machhapada.
Family members and other locals rushed the injured man to the nearest health centre soon after the incident.
On Wednesday morning, villagers found one of the vans burnt in a forested area near Machhapada and alerted the police. A team from the Baisinga police station reached the spot and began an investigation.
