Criminal injured in police encounter

Berhampur: Dreaded criminal Bhikari Das sustained bullet injuries on his leg in a police encounter on Ganjua-Aruapalli road under Gopalpur police limits here on Thursday night.

Acting on a tip off, a police team raided the Ganjua-Aruapalli area where Bhikari and his four associates were hatching a plan to commit a crime in the area.

When the police tried to nab them, Das opened fire and hurled bombs at the team. In reply, the police fired two rounds at Das in which he sustained bullet injuries on his left leg, police sources said.

The police also seized two tiffin bombs, one pistol and two live bullets from the spot.

However, the four associates of Das managed to escape from the spot during the encounter. A seriously injured Das was admitted to Berhampur hospital, police sources added. As many as 20 criminal cases are pending against Das at a number of police stations in the district.

Ashok Mohanty, SDPO of Berhampur sadar said, “After the criminals opened fire at the police team, IIC, Gopalpur police station fired two rounds of bullet at Das in which he sustained injuries on his left leg.”

It is worthwhile to mention here that this was the seventh encounter since Ashish Singh took charge as Berhampur SP two months back.

On Monday, notorious criminal Subas Naik alias Andala was injured in a police encounter near Tamada ghat under Golanthara police limits in the town.