Puri: A 24-year-old dreaded criminal suffered injuries in an exchange of fire with police near Ashram Square here late Saturday night, police said Sunday.
“Diwana Behera, a resident of Gokha Sahi who is wanted in several cases, has suffered gunshots just below his right knee in an exchange of fire with a joint team of Baseli Sahi and Kumbharpada police,” a senior police official said, adding that the history-sheeter was initially rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) and was later shifted to SCB Medical college and Hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.
A motorbike and a 9mm pistol have been recovered from him, the official pointed out.
According to police sources, Behera had been on the run ever since he was booked by Baseli Sahi police for his alleged indulgence in a burglary case (54/19) under Sections 399, 402 of the IPC and 25 of the Arms Act. “Investigations so far revealed that Behera has around 25 cases, including 21 with Baseli Sahi and four with Sadar police, registered against him. However, we’ll check if he has any case registered against him outside Puri,” Puri superintendent of police (SP) Uma Shankar Dash said at a presser organised at the SP office here Sunday.
About the crackdown, a senior official at the presser said that they were tipped off about Behera’s movement near a bus stand following which a special team, led by the city DSP, comprising Baseli Sahi and Kumbharpada police reached the spot. “Fearing arrest, Behera unsuccessfully fled the spot. “Police, on the other hand, continued to follow him. However, Behera opened fire at the officials near Ashram Square, prompting the men in khaki to open fire in self-defence,” the official explained.
The official added that Baseli Sahi inspector in-charge (IIC) Jibananda Jena was injured in the exchange of fire. “On the basis of a complaint lodged by Jena, a case (186/19) has been registered against Behera under Sections 323, 353, 307 and 34 of the IPC apart from 25 and 26 of the Arms Act,” the official added.
Additional SP (headquarters) PK Swain, additional SP (law and order) Arun Kumar Jena and city DSP Khirasagar Nayak were among others present during the media briefing.