Bhanjanagar: Tension ran high after police arrested two most wanted contract killers in a brief encounter as they were on their way to kill an undertrial while he was being produced in Bhanjanagar court here in Ganjam district Friday.
The two are believed to be members of the outlawed PLFI (People’s Liberation Front of India). They have been identified as Babul Pashwan of Jharkhand and Jitendra Nayak of Durbandhar in Ganjam district. Meanwhile, another accused managed to escape from police clutches, it is learnt.
Generally, whenever a hardcore criminal is arrested in an encounter in Ganjam district, he is being produced in court. Similarly, on Friday, an undertrial criminal was to be produced in Bhanjanagar court.
For unknown reasons, an unidentified person from Ganjam had hired the two ‘supari’ killers to shoot dead the undertrial while he was being produced in court.
Acting on a tip-off, police chased the ‘supari’ killers while they were on their way to court to kill the undertrial. Spotting the police, Babul opened fire following which the police retaliated and shot back at them. A brief encounter ensued in which Babul and Jitendra sustained bullet injuries and were arrested while their aide managed to escape.
The two were admitted to Bhanjanagar and Galeri government hospitals respectively. After preliminary treatment, they were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for further treatment.
On the other hand, five police officials were injured during the encounter. They were: Tarsing police IIC Anirudh Muduli, Galeri ASI Ashok Tripathy, Tarsingh police driver Santosh Nayak and two constables.
A special team headed by Bhanjanagar SDPO Utkal Keshari Das was formed to nab the third man. Police also seized two Mausers, live bullets, a car and some explosives from their possession.
Babul has over 40 cases against him in Jharkhand, Rourkela and Sundargarh, police said adding that he is a member of many criminal groups.
Briefing media persons, SP Asish Singh said the two had taken ‘supari’ from a person in Ganjam. Further investigation is on and the exact reason will be ascertained after interrogation, he added. PNN
