Two motor cycle-borne criminals shot at a 30-year-old contractor at Hatia village, about 30 Km from here, today.
Bharat Ojah (30), who suffered bullet wounds on thigh and lower parts of the legs, was shifted to SCB Medical College and hospital, Cuttack, in a critical condition, the police said.
The criminals sprayed four rounds of bullets at Ojha, who was engaged in rural pipe water laying work in nearby Manitri village. Extortion was the motive behind the shooting, it is suspected.
Preliminary investigation indicated that it was the handiwork of a gang of Kendrapara-based extortionists, Inspector of Marshaghai police station Sushant Kumar Patra said.
Patra said, "The injured Jena man has also a history of crimes."
Patrolling has been beefed up in view of a spurt in crime on national highways and adjoining areas of late, he said.
