Danda Moharana, a close associate of arrested former Congress MLA Ramesh Jena was injured in an exchange of fire with police on Thursday in Ganjam district, while he was trying to escape outside the State.
Two police personnel were also injured in the encounter that occurred near Madhuri village on Chikiti-Berhampur road under K.Nuagaon police station at 6.30 am. One revolver and a number less bike by which he was trying to escape were seized from possession of Danda. Left knee of the nabbed criminal was hit by a police bullet. He was shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as his condition was serious, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Chikiti, Prakash Chandra Jena. Sub-inspector Kaushik Majhi and Assistant Sub-inspector Dilip Sahu were out of danger, said the SDPO.
According to police sources, Danda from Bilasahi area of Berhampur was a key associate of arrested former MLA Ramesh Jena. At least 23 cases related to armed dacoity, extortion, firing, bombing etc were pending against Danda in different police stations of Berhampur. After arrest of Ramesh police was trying to track Danda as part of an operation against crime syndicate of the MLA. Ramesh.
According to the SDPO, police had received information that he was hiding some where near Chikiti and was trying to escape outside the State. A police picket stopped Danda near Madhuri at Tamana ghat road, while he was on his way towards Berhampur on a bike along with an associate. Danda fired three rounds at the police, while hia associate escaped. In retaliation police also fired two rounds at him and he took a hit. Search is on to nab Danda’s associate.
Danda Moharana, booked in many cases, was the key aide of ‘don’ Ramesh Jena
