Dreaded criminal Benu Barik nabbed after encounter in Ganjam

Ganjam: Continuing its crackdown on anti-social elements, Police today arrested hardcore dacoit Benu Barik after an encounter near Ramapada forest under Buguda police limits of the district.

According to sources, police recieved an input that Benu and his associate were moving on a bike towards Ramapada forest early morning today.

A special team of Buguda police followed them and intercepted the criminals near Ramapada forest. Finding cops on the spot, Benu opened fire with a country-made pistol, however, the police retaliated and fired at him.

Benu sustained critical injuries on his left leg and was later admitted to a hospital in Bhanjanagar. His associate, however, managed to flee.

Benu who is a resident of Jampatna village under Odagaon police limits of Nayagarh district was lodged in Khurda jail after being convicted in as many as 10 cases of extortion, loot and robbery.

However, he managed to flee and had been been involved in various criminal activities in Ganjam since then. He was one of the prime accused in the high profile robbery at Manitara Rushikulya Gramya Bank in Ganjam earlier this year.