Boy caught in crossfire, sustains bullet injury

TARBHA (SONEPUR): After the killing of a Ward Member over political rivalry in the neighbouring Balangir district, in yet another poll-related violence a 15-year-old child sustained a bullet injury at Harijanpada, a hamlet of Kamsara village under Tarbha Police limits on Friday morning.The injured child, Tikeswar Bibhar, has been shifted to VSS Medical at Burla. So far eight persons have been arrested, including the main accused Surendra Nag, while the police are on the look out for four more involved in the incident.Meanwhile, palpable tension gripped the village even as shops and commercial establishments downed shutters for the day.Armed police have been deployed to maintain law and order.Reports said two candidates each were in fray for the posts of Panchayat Samiti member and Sarpanch from Harijanpada under Kamsara gram panchayat.The Harijanpada is divided into Uparpada and Talapda and candidates for both the posts belonged to each pada respectively. It had been resolved among them that while the Sarpanch candidate of Uparpada would withdraw in favour of candidate of Talpada, for the post of Samiti Member, candidate of Talpada would withdraw clearing the deck for Uparpada.However, while the Sarpanch candidate of Uparpada withdrew from the race, the Samiti Member candidate from Talpada, Mandakini Bibhar went back on the understanding. This strained relationship between the residents of both the areas.Peeved over the incident, hundreds of supporters of Samiti Member candidate of Uparpada, Rita Nag gathered infront of the house of Mandakini. Anticipating trouble, Surendra Nag, a relative of Mandakini, came out of the house and opened three rounds of fire with one hitting Tikeswar below the chest. Incidentally, Tikeswar is Mandakini’s brother.Even as tension ran high, Sub Inspector of Kamsara police outpost Hemsagar Bhoi rushed to the spot and fired in the air to disperse the crowd.Sources said supporters of Rita Nag had hired 12 goons from Balangir. The police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits.