Odisha minister’s attackers held

Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: Police on Friday claimed to have nabbed four people who allegedly attacked Law Minister Maheswar Mohanty in Odisha’s Puri town last week.

The accused, all in their early 20s, were held from Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border. They are being brought to the state for further interrogation, a senior district police official told IANS.

Mohanty, 57, who also holds tourism, culture, planning, and coordination portfolios, was injured after being shot at by unknown assailants on Feb 21 in his home town, 55 km from here.

The assailants allegedly fired at him when he was returning home on his bike. The minister sustained multiple injuries on his hand and waist and is now recuperating at the Kalinga hospital here.

The four attackers had allegedly fled to Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh after committing the crime. Police have also detained several others in this case and are questioning them.