Bhubaneswar: Police protection has been provided to the family of slain BJP leader and senior lawyer Pitabas Panda in Berhampur city. Four constables and a Havildar from Berhampur police have been deployed to protect Panda’s family.
Panda’s son had requested police protection after receiving threat calls from unknown persons. His wife, Susmita Panda, had sought security from the government, expressing fear for her life and her son’s life.
Susmita Panda stated that threatening calls, including abusive language and remarks supporting Bikram Panda, the main accused and former BJD MLA, had been made to her son, asking him to withdraw the case. “I am afraid to stay at home. My son is also frightened. I have faith in the police investigation,” she said.
Panda, a member of the Odisha State Bar Council, was shot dead by miscreants in Berhampur on October 6. Two bike-borne miscreants allegedly opened fire on Panda while he was returning home on his scooter.
