Another criminal held after encounter

BERHAMPUR: After exchange of fire with a gang of dacoits on Narayanai road, police arrested history-sheeter Ram Chandra Sahu alias Babu on Sunday. The dreaded criminal was involved in at least 20 cases, including the recent case of dacoity in the house of  an advocate under Gosaninuagaon police limits here.

Earlier, police had arrested six individuals, including the mastermind in the dacoity case. However, two accused, Babu and Rinku, were  at large. Acting on a tip-off,  Gosaninuagaon and Khallikote police conducted a joint operation to nab Babu. Police nabbed Babu while he was travelling with Rinku on a motorcycle. The duo was heading towards Khallikote.

As police chased them, they tried to escape and Babu resorted to firing. Police retaliated following which Babu took bullets on his legs. Meanwhile, Rinku managed to flee from the spot, police added. A pistol loaded with three bullets and the motorcycle were seized from Babu. He was admitted to Khallikote hospital and later shifted to MKCG.

Two arrested in highway robbery case

Berhampur: Police on Saturday arrested two persons, including a truck driver, in connection with a highway robbery case reported near R Sumandi under Ganjam district about a week back. Cash worth J20.80 lakh, two mobile phones along with a car were seized from the arrested persons identified as Manoj Bisoi (34) of Mohona  in Gajapati district and Jamal Khan (41) of Haripur in Khurda district, who was also the driver of the truck, from where the miscreants looted the cash. “Three other persons were involved in the looting case. We have identified them and they will be arrested soon,” said Additional SP (Berhampur) Shantanu Das. Police said at least four persons had looted J21.5 lakh by assaulting the driver and helper of a fish-laden truck which was on its way from Cuttack and heading towards Andhra Pradesh on December 2. The gang members had also looted the mobile phones of the driver and helper.