Bellary: A taluk panchayat president was fatally shot at close range by an assailant at a Republic Day function at Hospet in Bellary district in full view of hundreds of people who watched the attack in shock.

Police said Hospet panchayat president Suryanarayana, a chief guest at the function, was first attacked with sickle by the assailant, who is his follower, over a property dispute and when it failed, he took out his revolver and fired five rounds.

Suryanarayana collapsed and was rushed to a hospital in Bellary, where attempts to resuscitate him failed, police said.

As the shoot-out took place, nearly 2,000 people who had gathered to witness the function, ran helter-skelter.

The assailant whose name was given as Chandre Gowda was arrested by the police who said they first thought it was a burst of crackers.

The three-day Hampi festival that was to begin on January 26 was cancelled following the killing and prohibitory orders have been clamped in Kampli town, police said. Police have also tightened security arrangements at Kampli.

PTI