Bhubaneswar, May 31 -- Panic gripped Kendrapara town on Saturday after blank firing was reported near the Town Police Station in the Ranapada area. The incident, allegedly connected to a dispute over contract work and extortion demands, triggered an immediate police response and heightened security measures in the locality.

According to reports, a group of miscreants allegedly fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. Police personnel were quickly deployed, and searches were conducted at several locations to trace those involved.

Local contractor Akhtar Khan claimed that the main accused, Sheikh Azharuddin alias Ajju, son of criminal Hyder, had been intimidating him over contract work and extortion demands. Khan alleged that Azhar...