Violence in the first-phase panchayat elections has taken a tribal woman’s life due to the goondaism of BJD supporters in Gajapati district.
The incident occurred after the non official declaration of victory of a Congress-supported sarapanch candidate of Katalkaita panchayat under Gosani block.
Congress supporters of Markoda village under the panchayat took out a procession after party supported Sasanam Indumati was declared as winner.
However, while returning back to their village, the BJD supporters stopped them at Sidhipalam village, pelted stone at them and brutally attacked them before escaping from the spot. Out of fear, tribal villagers did not go to the hospital at Paralakhemundi for treatment fearing that the BJD supporters might attack them again the very night.
On Tuesday morning, Minati Sabara (40) succumbed to her severe injury.
The body was seized and sent for post-mortem by police.
Her brother of Minati Subash Sabara, Ramarao Sabaro, Elleya Sabara, Jaran Gomango too were severely injured in the attack and are under treatment.
In this connection, the Congress filed an FIR in the Paralakhemundi Police Station and by keeping the body of the Minati near Old Fire Station Chhak, demanded compensation and arrest of the attackers. They held a blockade there.
In yet another incident of violence on Monday evening, BJD supporters of Jajpur village attacked Congress supporters of the same village brutally.
A person injured in the attack is undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College Hospital and his health condition was stated to be critical.