A contractor, Patel Mohanta, was gunned down by unknown assailants in the heart of Keonjhar town on Friday morning. Patel (37), a resident of Jalapaposi village, had come to the town with his wife to purchase woollen garments. At about 9.30 am while they were buying garments in front of the State Bank of India office, the three miscreants suddenly reached the spot by a motorbike and opened fire at Mohanta. Three rounds of bullets hit Mohanta’s head and neck leaving him seriously injured. The criminals then fled away.
Mohnata was first taken to the Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital. He died on the way while he was soon later being shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack for emergency treatment.
The killing was suspected to be the outcome of business rivalry. Mohanta had been associated with mineral transport and loading business. The town police are investigating into the broad daylight murder while the citizens of Keonjhar town are panicky after the incident.