Balasore: A 39-year-old former municipal councillor, a history-sheeter facing several charges, was murdered by members of his rival gang in Balasore town on Wednesday. The event triggered tension in the city.

The deceased, Tanmoy Panda alias Kunu Panda, 39, had suffered multiple injuries caused by a dagger. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Kunu was a resident of Sovarampur in Sahadevkhuntia police station. The police suspected the incident to be a fallout of a gang war as Kunu was facing many charges, including those of murder and extortion, and had been to jail several times. Recently, he had come out of the jail on bail. He was involved in a murder in 2016 which was a result of gang rivalry.

The police said that Kunu was attacked while he was going towards the local Industrial Training Institute on a bike. Six persons on three bikes first waylaid him and opened fire at him. Later, he was attacked with a dagger. The incident took place on OT Road near Hari Plaza hotel. They hit him on his face and head with the dagger before speeding away.

Kunu is the younger brother of another gangster Papa Panda who is at large.

The police suspected two possible reasons behind the murder - gang war and a local dispute between Sovarampur and its neighbouring area. The assailants were heard saying "you die and now, we will rule" while speeding away.

District superintendent of police Niti Sekhar and senior officials visited the spot with a forensic team.

Inspector in charge of Industrial area police station Paresh Rout said: "It appears to be a fallout of gang rivalry. Two groups opposed to Papa Panda are behind the incident. We are looking into all possible angles, including any dispute between villages of Sovarampur area," he said.