Odisha's Chief Minister Offers Compensation for Victims of Armed Robbery

Bhubaneswar, Jan 5 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of two individuals who lost their lives due to gunfire from armed robbers at Panikoili in the Jajpur district on Saturday.

CM Majhi expressed his profound sorrow regarding the tragic incident.

According to a post on the official X handle of the CM Office, "In light of the shooting incident at Panikoili in Jajpur district, CM Majhi declared financial support of Rs 2 lakhs for each family of the deceased."

Additionally, the Chief Minister pledged that the state government would cover the medical expenses for those injured during the incident.

Reports indicate that three robbers on a motorcycle entered a jewellery shop in the Panikoili market on Saturday afternoon.

When the shop staff attempted to thwart their robbery, the armed assailants opened fire.

Two employees, identified as Sunil Ray and Deepak Sahoo, sustained serious injuries from the gunfire.

Nearby residents hurried to the scene after hearing the gunshots.

The robbers attempted to flee but encountered Nila Madhab Panda, a passerby on a motorcycle. When Panda resisted their attempt to steal his bike, the robbers shot him dead on the spot.

Severely injured, Ray and Sahoo were initially transported to a local hospital in Panikoili but were subsequently moved to the District Headquarters Hospital in Jajpur for further treatment. Unfortunately, Ray succumbed to his injuries while receiving care.

Meanwhile, locals managed to apprehend two of the robbers, while another managed to escape. Tensions flared following the deaths of the two locals.

Upon notification, senior police officials arrived with five platoons of officers to rescue the captured robbers from the agitated crowd. The police have initiated a manhunt to locate the fleeing robber and his accomplices.