In the first-ever instance of supari killing in the district, Deogarh Police on Sunday arrested two persons who had hired hitmen to kill a Gram Sathi of Jharakandhal, Pappan Kumar Sahu.
The arrested include the contractor and mastermind, Dushasan Pradhan (35) of Jharakandhal village and his associate, Shiv Charan Mahalik (38) of Birda village under Brahmani Tarang Police limits in Rourkela. However, the killers are still at large and efforts are on to nab them.
Meanwhile, the police have detained a person and are interrogating him.
Reports said Sahu was found at Jhumpra Chhak along NH 23 with multiple injuries on September 22 and rushed to a hospital in Cuttack. The doctors at the hospital detected a bullet in his skull and he succumbed to his injuries on September 23.
After his cousin lodged a complaint with Barkote Police on September 24, the police began investigation and nailed Pradhan who spilled the beans.
It is learnt that there was a tussle between Pradhan and Sahu over execution of development work in the gram panchayat and payment of bills. Subsequently Pradhan decided to eliminate Sahu and hired shooters through Mahalik.