Kendrapada: Two criminals wanted for the murder of a medicine dealer were arrested after a late night police encounter in Kendrapara district on Friday.
The two criminals, Anant Prasad Jena alias Bhelu and Pravat Kumar Nayak alias Mituna, sustained bullet injuries during the encounter, police said.
A joint team of Marshaghai police and a special squad raided Kalapola near Angulai after receiving a tip-off that Bhelu and Mituna were spotted on a bike in the area.
Bhelu, who was riding pillion, fired at the police team in a bid to escape. Police retaliated likewise and Bhelu fell off the bike after being hit by bullets on his legs. Besides, Mituna was also sustained bullet injuries on his right thigh.
Police seized a revolver, two bullets and the bike from their possession. They were later admitted to the Kendrapara district headquarters hospitals.
According to police, the two criminals were involved in the murder of Gagan Sahu, a medicine dealer, near Hatia in Marshaghai on September 18. Of the 11 persons accused in the murder case, police had arrested nine earlier, while Bhelu and Mituna were absconding.
The duo has more than 10 cases pending in different police stations in Kendrapara district.
