Berhampur: A notorious criminal allegedly involved in a sword attack at Ambika Nagar in Odisha’s Berhampur was injured in a police encounter late on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Jagannath Sahu alias Jaga, sustained bullet injuries in both legs during the operation in Bauri Sukunda area under the Berhampur police district.
According to sources, police launched a raid to apprehend him following a tip-off. Jaga hurled bombs at the raiding team and tried to flee, prompting officers to open fire in self-defence. He was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The encounter occurred within five hours after a video of a brutal assault on Mangala Behera near Ambika Nagar Square under Bada Bazar police limits, showing the attackers repeatedly hacking him in full public view as he pleaded for mercy, went viral on social media. The incident took place on Saturday night when Behera, a resident of Haridakhandi Jaimill area, was out to have fast food.
Jaga and his brother Balia allegedly chased, abused, and assaulted him multiple times before fleeing the spot.
Preliminary investigations pointed to previous enmity as the motive. Behera had been released on bail just four days earlier in connection with a bomb attack case. Jaga also had criminal history, with at least nine cases registered against him at Bada Bazar and Sadar police stations, police said.
A manhunt is underway for the absconding co-accused, Balia.
This incident marks the third police encounter in Berhampur in the last nine days, amid concerns over rising group rivalries and gang-related violence in the area. On May 16, dreaded criminal Dipuna Nayak was injured in an encounter at Kirtipur. Four days later, on May 20, Mukesh Sahu, the accused in the assault on Umesh Rath at Giri Road, was chased and shot at by police in Tamana Ghati under Golanthara police station limits.
Police have vowed strict action against criminals indulging in such violent acts.
