Jharsuguda: Police nabbed four wanted criminals after a brief exchange of fire on Madhupur forest road in the wee hours of Wednesday. Identified as Ananta Dhal, Rafiq Ansari, Sailendra Patra and Nishi Singh, the four criminals were accused of murdering a youth on Tuesday.
According to sources, the four youths opened fire at one Mantu Ghose inside a snacks shop in Brajarajpur main market. Mantu was shot dead while he was paying his bills at the hotel. A CCTV camera which captured the entire incident showed, the miscreants mercilessly opening two rounds of bullets at Mantu in presence of onlookers.
Even though the exact cause behind the incident was not clear, sources said Mantu, also a brother of Sonu Ghosh, a notorious criminal of Brajanagar, was involved in some illegal business with the criminals and had developed rivalry with them during past few months.
Informed about the incident, a police team reached the spot and launched a manhunt to nab the suspects. After ascertaining some leads from the CCTV camera, police raided several places of the industrial town to trace the criminals.
Cops came face to face with the criminals while they were hiding in Madhupur forest area. The criminals opened fire at the police team to escape the arrest but were nabbed after a brief fire by the cops. Apart from all the four accused, Gandhi Chhak outpost in-charge Chudamani Mahananda also sustained injuries during the gunfight.
Speaking at a press meet about the encounter, DIG (northern range) Himansu Lal said efforts will be taken to completely end the gang wars. “This is a gang war. Such encounters are occurring frequently. After releasing from jail, criminals are again resuming their crime activities. We will ensure that such thing will not be repeated. We will make our best effort. Stress will be given to end the gang wars,” he said.