A brazen attack rocked Berhampur’s Shastri Nagar under Baidya Bazaar police jurisdiction last night when four unidentified youths stormed the residence of businessman S. Runa Achari around 8:30 PM.
The assailants opened fire, injuring Achari in his left arm. His brother-in-law, Sunil, sustained a minor hand injury while attempting to intervene. Both victims were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local business community, with fear gripping Shastri Nagar and surrounding areas. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the perpetrators fled the scene, leaving police with a complex case to unravel.
Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M visited the hospital to assess the victims’ condition and oversee the investigation. Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits, but no official statement has been released regarding suspects or motives.
This shooting comes just days after a high-profile police encounter on August 2, where Golanthara police injured and arrested notorious criminal Sunil Nahak, alias Mala, who faces 20 criminal cases. Nahak, also under treatment at MKCG Medical College, was shot in the leg during the operation. The back-to-back incidents have sparked public discourse about escalating crime in Berhampur, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement.
Residents and local traders expressed alarm over the rising audacity of criminals, with many calling for stricter measures to ensure safety. The police are under pressure to deliver swift justice and restore confidence in the city’s security. As investigations continue, the community awaits answers about what drove this violent attack and whether it signals a deeper issue in Ganjam’s law-and-order situation
