Khallikote: A most wanted criminal was held following an encounter at Gudidhepa village under this police limits in Ganjam district early Tuesday morning. He has been identified as Ananta Kumar Machhua alias Mani.
The encounters are being taken under Ganjam police ‘clean crime’ initiative. Sources said this was Ganjam police’s 57th encounter. The criminal Mani sustained bullet injuries on his right leg in the encounter.
According to police, Mani, a native of Ranpur area in Nayagarh district is involved in several crimes in the district. He has more than 10 cases in his name in Khurda, Nayagarh and Ganjam district.
A special team was on the lookout for him. Acting on reliable information about his whereabouts, a police team intercepted him near Gudidhepa village early 4:30AM while he along with his aides was on his way to Berhampur. Sensing the movement of police, Mani opened fire and tried to escape.
In retaliation, the police team also opened after which Mani sustained a bullet on his right leg and fell down. Later, he was overpowered and taken to Khalikote community health centre (CHC).
After preliminary aid, he has been shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for further treatment. Meanwhile, a manhunt was launched to nab Mani’s associates who escaped during the encounter.
Police seized a pistol, three live bullets, and Rs 1,500 from his possession. However, Mani’s associate managed to give the police a slip.
“Mani had been wanted in several loot and dacoity cases in different police stations in Khurda, Nayagarh and Gnajam districts,” Khallikote IIC Vivekananda Swain informed.
Notably, this has been the seventh encounter in Khalikote area and all the encounters have taken place during the stint of Vivekananda Swain as IIC of Khalikote police station.
PNN
