Wanted Man In Firing Case Injured In Encounter In Odisha’s Puri

Puri: A man, wanted in a firing incident, was injured in an encounter in a forest in Odisha’s Puri district on Monday.

Speaking to media persons, Puri City DSP Pravat Chandra Routray said they received reliable information that the wanted criminal, Santu Barik, was hiding in the forest on Puri-Brahmagiri road. A police team conducted a raid on the forest in the evening.

As the police team went closer to Santu, he opened fire. An encounter ensued as the police fired in retaliation. Santu was shot in his right leg in the encounter and admitted in the district headquarters hospital, the DSP said.

He said the police were on lookout for Santu since the firing incident on November 29. On that day, Santu met an accident with a two-wheeler rider and had an argument with him. Later, Santu got a gun from his house and went to the house of Jhili Sahu where he suspected that the man was hiding.

Accusing Jhili of protecting the man, Santu fired at her. He had been absconding since then. The police have seized the gun used by Santu in the firing, the DSP said.

A criminal case is lodged against Santu in connection with a criminal case in Brahmagri police station on January 28, 2022. The police are investigating other cases pending against him.