Inter-State looter, aide held after encounter in Ganjam

Berhampur: Most wanted inter-state looter Deepak Mandal and his aide Astam Mandal were injured in separate encounters in Ganjam district on Tuesday night.

Both the criminals were later admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.

Sources said the cops followed Deepak while he was going on a motorcycle near Bhairavi under the Golanthara police limits. Seeing this, Deepak opened fire at the police inviting retaliation from the latter. The cops also seized a pistol, two bullets and two looted motorcycles from his possession.

Police said many cases are pending against Deepak in West Bengal and Punjab, besides Odisha. No less than 18 cases are pending against Deepak, who hails from Murshidabad in West Bengal and had been involved in various loot and dacoity incidents in Golanthara area for the last one year.

In a similar operation, Gopalpur police arrested Deepak’s aide Astam following an encounter, during which Astam sustained bullet injuries on both his legs.

The police noticed Astam when he was going on the Pathara NH yesterday. Astam opened fire at the police personnel following which the latter retaliated. The cops seized a pistol, three bullets and a motor cycle from him.