Rourkela, Nov. 5: Criminals shot a woman dead on Friday around 9pm at Patrapara village, under Nuagaon block, 20km from here.

The victim, Ilisaba Bhengra, 20, was declared dead by the doctors at the hospital.

Ilisaba's father Nutan Bhengra and brother Amit Bengra lodged a complaint with police today. The cops said that the main accused, Sunil Majhi had several criminal cases against him.

According to the complaint, Majhi, along with three of his aides, had gone to the victim's house to inquire about Amit's elder sister Pushpa. Amit, his wife Lalita and Ilisaba told Sunil that Pushpa was in Biramitrapur. Sunil didn't believe them and barged into the house to look for Pushpa. Ilisaba started protesting and there was an argument between her and Sunil during which Sunil shot her from close range.

Villagers heard the gunshots and came rushing to the spot, but Sunil and his aides had fled on their motorcycles. Ilisaba was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared brought dead.

The officer in charge, Hatibari, Pritam K. Jena, who is investigating the case, said: "The police raided a few places last night but no one was arrested. The reason behind the incident is still not known."

In another incident, people at Barsuan market, around 60km from here, caught three goons when they were trying to escape after looting a shop. Those caught were identified as Raju Lohar, Ranjit Lohar and Ranjan Lohar. They are all in their early 20s.