Balasore, April 21: Tension gripped Bhadrak today following a businessman’s murder at his Charampa residence last night.

Laxman Dudwania, 25, belonged to a prominent business family of Bhadrak who are in the readymade garment trade.

Shops and business establishments were closed in Charampa and Kutchery Bazar today in protest against the murder. According to eyewitnesses, unidentified goons broke open the gate and barged into the house around 1.30am. There they stabbed the sleeping Laxman with a sharp weapon.

“He succumbed to his injuries before he could be treated at the district headquarters hospital,” said sub-divisional police officer Kishor Dangayat. “The number of goons has not been determined yet. Some eyewitnesses say they were four or five people. The motive behind the murder is also not known,” he said.

The police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits with the help of a sniffer dog.

“We have begun a probe,” said inspector in charge of Bhadrak police station Anil Patra, adding that a case had been lodged against the unknown persons.