Barbil: Amid reports that the new bus terminal at Barbil in Keonjhar district has become a hub of criminals, a gang war broke out between two groups Friday. Police arrested nine criminals of the two gangs.
Police seized a bomb, sharp-edged weapons, four bikes, a car and nine cell phones from them. The police registered a case against them for attempted abduction, assault and murder.
The arrested are Md Muzafar and Bikarm Pradan of Arhala, Sunil Patra (Titu) and Kushal Jena of Barbil, Roshan Gupta of Bhadrasahi, Jaspal Singh of Sriramnagar, Goutam Swain of Gadha Hutting, Munna Patra and Shiba Patra of Kamar Joda.
Reports said the two groups had fought near the bus stand Friday. One group had hurled bombs at the other to kill somebody. An attempt was also made to abduct another person.
Titu is said to be involved in 39 cases of theft, robbery and snatching. Muzafar and his aide Bikram had taken Rs 10 lakh in a contract to eliminate Titu. The two had come for that to Barbil Friday evening and hurled a bomb at Titu and his aides, who were on alert. Titu and his aides managed to escape, but kidnapped Muzafar and Bikram and later assaulted them.
Police seized all the weapons and an unexploded bomb after overpowering the criminals.
Two cases were registered against the nine under various sections of the IPC and the Explosives Act.
PNN