The attack on Kamakyanagar BJD youth leader Yasobanta Parida on Friday was masterminded by Deepak Mohanty, husband of the Baruan sarpanch, Dhenkanal SP Manoranjan Mohanty revealed here on Sunday.
Mohanty had given supari of `10 lakh for the murder of Parida, who he believed, was responsible for sending him to jail in a murder case three years ago, the SP said.
While `5 lakh had already been given to the contract killers by way of advance, the rest `5 lakh was to be given after the murder, he said.
The two contract killers had already been arrested while Mohanty and his co-conspirator in the case are still at large, the SP said.
The main assailant Suresh Panda of Athagarh had been overpowered and handed over to the police immediately after he pumped three bullets into Parida’s body. Panda’s associate lunia was nabbed on Sunday, he said.
Parida is currently under treatment at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack where his condition has been stated as ‘stable’.