Criminal nabbed in police encounter in Puri

Puri: Police have nabbed notorious criminal Rashmi Ranjan Panda alias Gundu Panda after an encounter near Siddhamahabir area of Puri in the wee hours today.

A special team of police chased and injured Gundu by shooting bullets on both his legs during an exchange of fire. Later, he was admitted to Puri district headquarters hospital.

It may be noted that Gundu was absconding after shooting another criminal named Rakesh Kumar over past enmity in Kumutipatna area in Puri on Monday evening.

As per the statements of Rakesh Kumar, Gundu shot at him near Kumutipatna and with the help of his associate, he later took him on a bike to Siddhamahabir area where they fired more bullet shots at him.

However, Rakesh managed to escape the goons and hid in the bushes for over 2 hours following which the police traced and nabbed him. He was admitted to Puri Hospital for preliminary treatment. However, as his condition was critical, he was shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Both Rakesh and Gundu have a long list of crime records and are wanted in several criminal cases registered in the city and nearby areas.

Meanwhile, repeated incidents of firing have raised concerns over the security in the pilgrim town.