Berhampur, June 5: Three persons opened fire at an employee of MKCG Medical College and Hospital this morning. The employee, Jibanananda Patnaik alias Litu, 37, was seriously injured and had to be shifted to Bhubaneswar as his condition deteriorated. Personal enmity is believed to be the motive behind the incident.

“The victim has suffered four bullet injuries on his right thigh, stomach and lower portion of the right eye. Jibanananda was initially treated at MKCG and was later shifted to Kalinga Hospital in Bhubaneswar,” said Sarat Mahapatra, sub-divisional police officer.

The victim has identified one of the assailants as Kalia Swain, a notorious criminal of the area. A case of attempted murder has been registered in this connection. Swain, a resident of Hinjili, is wanted by both Ganjam and Berhampur police.

Eyewitnesses said around 6.15am, some goons, who were accompanied by Jibanananda, ordered for tea from the hospital canteen. They sat on a culvert opposite the blood bank of MKCG.

Suddenly, one of them whipped a pistol and fired two rounds at the victim. Jibanananda tried to escape by running towards the blood bank. The criminals fired two more rounds at him before fleeing the spot. Jibanananda works as a counter assistant at the blood bank of MKCG.