Odisha panchayat polls: 2 held for firing at candidate's house
India Today
Two supporters of a sarpanch candidate were arrested for allegedly opening fire to deter another candidate from campaigning for Odisha panchayat elections.
Two supporters of a sarpanch candidate in Odisha's Sambalpur district were arrested for allegedly opening fire early on Wednesday to deter another contestant from campaigning for the panchayat polls, police said.
They had earlier told Lalit Sahu to withdraw his nomination, but he did not yield to the threats.
They opened fire around 1.30 am at Sahu's house in Ghichamura panchayat in Thelkoloi block. However, there were no casualties, police said.
A case was lodged and police arrested the accused duo, who confessed to the crime, an officer said.
Two single-barrel muzzle-loading guns, ammunition and gunpowder were seized, he said.
"We are also investigating to find out whether the rival candidate was involved in the incident," Thelkoloi inspector Bibhu Bhusan Mishra said.
Nine contestants are in the fray from Ghichamura, where the election is scheduled on Sunday. Only Zilla Parishad members contest the panchayat elections with party symbols in Odisha.
