BJP leader killed in Odisha, shutdown called

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Odisha's Khordha town, police said on Monday. Party workers have called for a six-hour shutdown.

Khordha Mandal President Manguli Jena was shot at near Khurda BJP MLA candidate Kalucharan Khadayat's residence.

He sustained critical bullet injuries and was admitted to the district hospital. Jena was declared dead on arrival by doctors.

Following the incident, the BJP called for Khordha bandh from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. The party workers staged protests outside a police station demanding immediate arrest of the killers.

"We are shattered to hear about the murder of one of our party leaders of Khordha," Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.

He blamed the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the murder of the BJP worker and said they will get a befitting reply from voters.

--IANS

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