Paradip, Nov. 4: Ten days after Mahendra Swain, the general manager of Seaways Shipping and Logistics Limited, was gunned down, Jagatsinghpur district police today issued a lookout notice for Mahimananda Mishra, the managing director of Odisha Stevedores Limited (OSL), and three of his subordinates.

"We have issued lookout notice to prevent them from leaving the country. A letter has also been sent to the Union home ministry in this regard. We have also alerted all the airports and ports and have shared their passport particulars," said additional superintendent of police of Paradip, Gadadhar Pradhani.

"The accused, including Mishra, have gone into hiding. Instead of co-operating with the investigators, they are absconding. However, their involvement is yet to be established, prima facie. As they have gone into hiding, it has led us to suspect them for eitheir involvement in Swain murder case. Raids were conducted at several places, but they could not be traced. As it was apprehended that the accused might flee from the country, we are left with little option but to issue the lookout notice," said the police official.

Four assailants gunned down Swain on October 26 in Paradip.

After the murder of Swain, his elder brother filed a complaint with Paradip police. He alleged that four criminals had gunned down his brother on the instruction of OSL managing director and other senior employees. Acting on the complaint, the cops filed case against them.

"All the accused are on the run. We are raiding their hideouts to nab them," said Pradhani. The police are also yet to catch the four assailants.

"A manhunt is on to nab the suspected killers. Investigation has reached its final stage. We are hopeful of cracking the murder case very shortly" said a police official.