Pipili block chief shot at

BHUBANESWAR/PURI: Unidentified miscreants opened fire at Pipili block chairman Yudhistir Swain in front of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) office in Pipili town on Monday night. Swain, who received a bullet in his thigh, was rushed to the Capital Hospital before being shifted to a private hospital later. Swain, police said, was having a chat with party workers in front of the BJD office when four bike-borne miscreants arrived at the scene and fired at him. Of the four rounds fired at Swain, three missed him,  while the fourth bullet hit him. All the four were carrying guns. The incident took place at about 10.20 pm. Puri SP Anup Sahoo said when locals gave the miscreants a chase, they left their bikes and fled through the paddy fields. Besides the bikes, they also left behind a revolver and live cartridges. The incident has triggered tension in the politically-sensitive town. Police are keeping a watch on the situation to ward off any trouble. Political rivalry is believed to be the cause behind the incident. Swain was immediately shifted to Capital Hospital before being moved to Kalinga Hospital. Police said his condition is stable.