Nayagarh: A history-sheeter was shot at by the police during an encounter on Nayagarh (Autonomous) College road late Monday night, police said Tuesday.
Suresh Rout (38) of Poibadi village in Daspalla block of the district sustained critical injuries after the bullet pierced his right leg. He was admitted to the district headquarters hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as his condition worsened. This is second police encounter in Nayagarh after four years.
Two iron bars, `270 in cash, a mobile phone, a country gun, seven rounds of bullets, two empty shells and a motorcycle were seized from him, police said.
Suresh has 36 cases registered in his name in 11 police stations of the state, the police added.
Suresh has 17 cases in his name in Daspalla police station, two in Nuagaon, one each in Odagaon, Itamati and Banigochha police stations, six in Khurda, three in Boudh, two in Baunsuni, one in Golanthara in Ganjam district, one in Narsinghpur in Cuttack district, one in Balanga police station in Puri district.
His name often figures in cases of robbery and loot on highways, SP Ashis Kumar Singh said, adding the accused was involved in criminal activities since 1999.
Suresh is accused of barging into the Similisahi panchayat office in Daspalla block and decamping with `1.50 lakh from panchayat executive officer Reena Dei, Town police station IIC Rashmi Ranjan Pattnaik said.
According to a press release issued by Town police, acting on a tip-off that Suresh is on his way from Lenkudipada to Nayagarh to execute a dacoity a police team took position at Baramasi Danda on Naygarah College road and waited for his arrival.
He arrived at the place at 12.15 am and fired two rounds of bullet on seeing the police jeep. While one of the bullets hit the windshield of the jeep, another pierced the door of the vehicle.
Suresh left his bike and was running away when constable AA Khan of Town police station retaliated by firing two rounds at him. The policemen immediately overpowered and arrested him.
PNN
