Bhanjanagar: Damping the New Year eve revelry in Aska, unidentified miscreants gunned down a man at College Square in the city over suspected political rivalry last night.
The deceased has been identified as Bahana Lenka (50) of Kharia panchayat.
As per the report, Lenka who was a BJD leader was on his way to some work riding pillion with a friend when the attack took place at around 10.30 pm last night. A group of unidentified bike-borne miscreants intercepted them near College Square and fired indiscriminately at the victim.
Lenka, sustained bullet injuries on his head and died on the spot.
Aska Police reached the spot immediately and seized the body for autopsy. Later it detained the friend of the deceased for questioning.
While an investigation is underway in the case police said, role of a rival political group cannot be ruled out.