Paradip, May 12: Motorcycle-borne men gunned down a member of a rival gang yesterday night and critically injured two others near Biridihat, about 65km from here.

The murder was the fallout of a dispute over the awarding of a tender contract for a civil construction project.

The deceased, Panchanan Rout, died on the spot after the shooters sprayed bullets on him from close range. Rout has faced trial in a series of criminal charges including murder, extortion, tender-fixing and unlawful possession of arms.

“The assailants, who had also formed a tender-fixing syndicate, have been identified. They would be arrested soon. Their suspected link with notorious crime syndicates active in Kendrapara, Paradip and Cuttack is being looked into,” said Amaresh Panda, inspector of Biridi police station.

Police have retrieved nine used bullets from the spot. Forensic and scientific experts also inspected the shootout spot.

Panchanan, with two of his associates Samir Rout and Sukadev Behera, were sitting with some local residents at Maitree Youth Club in Biridihaat when about five assailants fired at them around 7.45pm. The shooting lasted for around two minutes. The motorcycle-borne men barged into the club, took out guns and asked others to vacate the room. Then they targeted Panchanan and two of his associates.

“Pachanan, who sustained multiple bullet wounds, died on the spot. Two others, Samir and Sukadev, who have sustained bullet injuries on his arm and legs, were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital.

Panchanan and the injured persons have a history of crimes. Panchanan was facing trial in two criminal cases including murder, extortion and carrying of illegal arms. The injured duo also has similar criminal antecedents,” inspector Panda said.

From preliminary investigation it has been found out that the shootout was closely linked to a tender bidding process recently carried out in Kaijanga irrigation sub-division office.

Some contractors might have hired the rival gang of criminals to eliminate the one led by Panchanan.

“Though clear-cut clues are yet to emerge, we believe that the criminals engaged in fixing tenders in Jagatsinghpur area have close links with bigger gangs operating in Kendrapara, Paradip and Cuttack,” Panda added.

Local residents are of the view that lawlessness had become rampant in these part because of slack policing.