Kendrapara: A member of a dacoit gang was critically injured in a police encounter in the wee hours today. The accused has been identified as Hrusikesh Mallick. He suffered bullet injuries in his legs and is currently undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital.
According to sources, Hrusikesh was part of a gang of dacoits who struck the house of Nabaghana Parida of Juania in Aul yesterday night. The robbers looted cash and gold ornaments worth lakhs of rupees from the house and attacked three of the family members before fleeing the spot.
Acting on a tip-off about the loot, a police team swung into action and launched a massive patrolling. The cops later confronted with the dacoits near Gorapur vigilance office.
In a bid to escape, the looters opened fire at the police team. The police team fired in retaliation in which Hrushikesh was injured. However, four other members of the dacoit gang managed to escape.
Hrusikesh and the other gang members are reportedly habitual looters and involved in a series of loots in the area.