Berhampur, Nov. 6: A law college student was injured after he was attacked with firearms and sharp weapons at Podapadar mouza under Chatrapur police station, about 25km from here this morning.

Satish alias Rajiv Das, 22, a first-year LLB student at Lingaraj Law College, was shot at and attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified persons when he had gone to attend nature's call near Indira Awas Colony.

"He was attacked on his head and face with sharp weapons. He is still unconscious. The family members are in great shock and unable to speak. Investigation is on," said inspector in-charge of Chatrapur police station Bishnu Prasad Patra.

Police have seized an empty bullet and recovered two of Satish's teeth from the spot.

Satish is the son of Krushna Priya Das, a BJD supporter and a former local sarpanch. "We are still in dark about who attacked him and why. Satish had no enemy," said Krushna Priya.

Ganjam superintendent of police Narasingha Bhola visited the spot and asked Patra to expedite the investigation.

The police are investigating the reason for the attack. Police sources said Satish had a war of words with a group of students at Lingaraj Law College during the students' union election. They are also investigating the possibility of a row over a love affair.

"We are waiting for Satish to regain consciousness so that he can help us identify his attackers," said Patra.

Three die in accident

Three members of a family died when their car hit a stationery truck on NH-49 near Pallahara town in Angul district last night.

The deceased have been identified as Basant Barik, 50, his wife Junu, 46, and their 24-year-old son, Biranchi.

While Basant and his son died on the spot, Junu and a friend, Nikunja Pradhan, were severely injured. They were taken to Pallahara Hospital, from where Nikunja was referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Junu died while being transferred to Cuttack.