Berhampur: Four bike-borne criminals have killed BJD leader Sanyasi Bishoyi, 35, a close associate of Sorada MLA Purnachandra Swain, at Tinchhack on the Gangapur-Badagada road in Ganjam district.

"Four youths came on two bikes and attacked Bishoyi at 2.30pm on Friday when he was on his way to Gangpur from Badagada on a bike. Bishoyi stopped near a shop at Tinchhack to have a cold drink when he was attacked. The criminals first hurled bombs at him. When he fell down, they attacked him with sharp weapons and fired two rounds at his hand and head," said Bishoyi's brother Shankar.

Bishoyi was on way to Gangapur from Badagada, about 3km, to purchase some dal for the marriage feast of his brother, Rabi, on Friday.

"It was so sudden that the assailants had disappeared before local people could reach the spot. Bishoyi was immediately taken to Badagada primary health centre and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries at 3.45pm," he said.

Sorada MLA Swain, who visited Bishoyi at the MKCG hospital on Friday afternoon, said he was a strong and active supporter of the BJD.

"Of late, he was receiving several threat calls on his phone. I am sure that the conspiracy to kill my brother was hatched inside the jail," said Shankar. He pointed his finger towards Lambu Tarini, who is now lodged in jail. It is suspected that political rivalry is behind the crime.

As the news of Bishoyi's murder spread, thousands of his supporters blocked the state highway from Badagada to Seragada, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Ganjam police have formed a special team to nab the killers, said sub-divisional police officer Subash Chandra Panda.

Another BJD leader of Ganjam district Laxmi Dutta Pradhan was killed in Chatrapur on September 16 last year.