Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 13 lakh ex-gratia for the family of Journalist Rohit Biswal who was killed in a landmine blast in Kalahandi district today.

Informing about the Chief Minister’s decision, Media Advisor to the State government, Manas Mangaraj said the Odisha Police will provide Rs 9 lakh and the Journalist Welfare Fund will give the remaining Rs 4 lakh to Journalist Biswal’s family.

Earlier in the day, Journalist Biswal was killed in the blast of a landmine reportedly set up by Maiosts near Dulen bridge in Karlakhunta under M.Rampur police limits. The 46-year-old Journalist Biswal was working with the ‘Dharitri’ Odia daily and was going on a two-wheeler to cover a story when the blast occurred near Dulen bridge.

The blast intensity was so much that Journalist Biswal died on the spot.