Post poll violence escalates in Odisha, one dead

Bhubaneswar, May 20 (IANS) A BJD worker was hacked to death by the supporters of rival Congress party in Odisha's Kendrapada district as post poll violence escalated in the area, police said Tuesday.

Ranjit Nayak, 40, was killed Monday evening near Patrapur village, about 150 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, by two Congress supporters, Superintendent of Police Rabi Narayan Behera told IANS.

The deceased and the attackers belonged to the same area. An investigation was on to find out if more people were involved in the crime. No arrest has been made so far, he said.

Nayak, a Biju Janata Dal worker, had allegedly attacked some Congress workers Saturday for bursting fire crackers near his house to mark the victory of their candidate in the assembly election.

In an act of revenge, the Congress supporters attacked Nayak with sharp weapons when he was alone at the outskirts of the village. He was rushed to a hospital but the doctors declared him dead.

The region had earlier witnessed clashes between Congress and BJD workers a day after voting for Lok Sabha and assembly polls April 17.

A BJD supporter had died and several were injured in the clashes.