Berhampur: Khallikote police arrested two persons, wanted in several criminal cases after an encounter here in Ganjam district Sunday night.
The two, identified as Souri Nahak and his aide Mitu Pradhan, have more than 20 cases of dacoity, loot and attempt to murder against them in many police stations of Ganjam, Nayagarh and Khurda districts, police said.
Police recovered two rifles and five rounds of live ammunition from them after the incident, said SP (Ganjam) Asish Singh. Two police personnel also received minor injuries in the exchange of the fire. The duo fired at least four rounds at the police party.
Before they were arrested by the police at Kanheipur, they had fired at a contractor at Banapur and tried to escape from the area, police said. After getting information from Banapur police about their movement towards Khallikote, police was checking all the vehicles passing in the area.
“They were trying to escape by opening fire at us when we detained their vehicle”, said inspector in charge, Khallikote police station, Bibekananda Swain. Police fired at least six rounds in retaliation, he said.
Describing the duo as anti-socials and involved in several heinous crimes, police said they were wanted by the police in Ganjam, Khurda and Nayagarh districts. Souri, one of the accused youth, was involved in at least 27 different cases including robberies and dacoits in Ganjam, Khurda and Nayagarh districts.
Similarly Mitu, his associate, was also involved in at least 25 different criminal cases, including murder, dacoits and robberies. “We are verifying his other cases pending against them in some other police stations”, said Swain.
Police brought the two to Khallikote Community Health Centre (CHC). After preliminary treatment, they were shifted to Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Their condition was stated to be normal after the bullets lodged in their legs were removed, it is learnt.
This is the 28thhigh profile arrest of wanted criminals this year by Ganjam police, Singh said. The raid led by Chhatrapur SDPO Ramesh Chandra Sethy included Khallikote IIC Viveka Nanda Swain and other police officials, Singh added. Adding to the accomplishment of Ganjam police, Singh also heaped praise on the police officials for their effort in bringing criminals to book in the district. PNN
