Berhampur, May 28: Some unidentified persons killed a 31-year-old journalist working in a regional daily at Khallikote.

The victim, Tarun Acharya, was found lying roadside with serious injuries on his neck last night and was taken to hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The assailants attacked Tarun when he was on his way to Bikrampur from Khallikote on his bike.

In the complaint, the deceased’s brother, Tapan Acharya, has accused his cousin, an advocate and some of his family members of the murder, said Chhatrapur sub-divisional police officer Alekh Chandra Pahi.

The police have seized a shoe which is suspected to be of one of the killers from the spot. A scientific team visited the spot today and the body has been sent for post-mortem.

Tarun was lying in a bush near the excise office. He was taken to Khallikote community health centre at 10.45pm by some of his friends.

“Tarun suffered one deep injury by sharp weapon on the left side of his neck, two deep injuries on the back of his neck and one injury on the left hand,” the police said.

“No arrest has been made so far,” Pahi said.

The deceased is the son of Binayak Acharya, a retired Hindi teacher.

Tanmoy, the younger brother of the deceased, said their cousin, who is a political worker, had threatened to kill them about five days ago in front of our house over publication of a news report.

The journalist used to contribute news reports to a private channel and a newspaper.