2 PLFI members arrested, Area Commander flees

Sundergarh: Two members of the Peoples’ Liberation Front of India (PLFI) were arrested on Wednesday after an exchange of fire with the police forces in Raibaga area of Sundergarh district.

The duo, identified as Sudhil Hansda from Raibaga and Jaypal Tapno from Jharkhand, was reportedly arrested from the Raibaga area, sources said.

This apart, the police have also seized two guns, bullets and huge amount of explosives from the PLFI members.

However, the area commander of the outfit Bijay Dang managed to escape during the fire exchange. Sources said Odisha police as well as the Jharkhand police have jointly launched a combing operation to trace and arrest him.

Last month, as many as 13 members of PLFI including Zonal Committee Member Arjun Rana and Koida-Barbil area commander Karan Sai were arrested by Sundargarh and Kuanrmunda police. The accused were arrested after raid at a camp at Kukudabahal forest under Biramitrapur police limits. One carbine, three double barrel rifles, one 9MM pistol, 57 rounds of live ammunition and other objectionable items were also recovered from the spot.