Berhampur: Notorious criminal Jitu Sethy was arrested by Berhampur police here in Ganjam district after an encounter that saw a police officer survive by the skin of his teeth Friday.
Police were on a hot trail of Jitu, who was said to be on the top of the most wanted list of Berhampur police ever since Ramesh Jena’s arrest. He was finally arrested Friday after an encounter in which he suffered bullet injuries to his leg.
Sources said a police team being led by Golanthara inspector-in-charge Alok Jena had zeroed in on Jitu’s location at a cashew orchard near Dhabaleswar temple under Gopalpur police limits. As soon as the police team reached the spot, Jitu fired three bullets at the cops that led to one of the bullets piercing IIC Jena’s arm.
Jena however was quick to return fire. The IIC took aim and shot Jitu twice in his leg, thus immediately incapacitating him. The criminal’s accomplices however managed to escape the spot.
Police seized a 9 mm rifle and a bullet from Jitu and later admitted him to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. The bullets lodged in his left leg were later removed, police said.
Jitu has two murder cases, three rape cases and several other criminal cases pending against him at various police stations.
This makes it the second high-profile arrest of a wanted criminal in less than a week, police said. Another notorious criminal Danda Maharana was earlier arrested in a similar fashion.
Sources said hardcore criminals who were granted bail were now opting to stay back in jail after news of the encounter of the dreaded criminals Danda and Jena spread in the town. Adding to their accomplishment, Berhampur police received high praise for the encounters within a week’s span. Now, the only dreaded criminal out on the streets is Bidu Bisoyi, police sources said, adding a special team has been formed to capture Bidu.
Meanwhile, sources said a team of police officials reportedly nabbed Pintu Jena, nephew of Ramesh Jena who was absconding and was hiding in Mumbai. Sources said police had earlier arrested a driver of Pintu. Later, on the confession of the driver, a team of police officials managed to arrest Pintu from a relative’s house in Mumbai. PNN