Youth injured in firing

BHUBANESWAR: A youth was critically injured when two unidentified assailants fired at him near Retanga station under Airfield police limit at about 9.30 pm on Tuesday.  The injured Deepak Pradhan has sustained a bullet injury on his lower abdomen and he is hospitalised in a private medical college of the city. Doctors have removed the bullet and Deepak is stated to be out of danger.  According to police, Deepak (24), son of former sarpanch Judhistir Pradhan, is a resident of Panchaplli village. He was running a stationary shop near Retanga station.  Deepak told the police that the two youths visited his shop on Monday night in an inebriated condition and asked for cigarettes. When Deepak said he does not sell cigarette, they threatened him with dire consequence for refusing to meet their demand.  The two anti-socials fired at Deepak while he was heading towards his home after closing the shop. The two youths whom he recognised were hiding behind a bush, Deepak told the police.