A 13-member gang of youngsters in their early 20s or teens was busted by the police in Berhampur of Odisha while their leader Sunil Bisoi (22) was injured during an exchange of fire with the police force on Thursday night.
According to sources, Sunil was an aide of now-jailed former Congress MLA Ramesh Jena. According to the police sources, Sunil was wanted in at least ten cases including murder, dacoity and extortion.
Briefing newsmen on Friday, Berhampur Additional Superintendent of Police Trinath Patel said the city police had been trying to stop the gang’s activities.
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On Thursday night, the gang members looted and got involved in extortion in Dhipa Sahi, Bdakhemundi Sahi and goods shed road areas of the city. They had also ransacked some houses as well as a restaurant located at the goods shed road. Receiving information about these activities, the city police formed three special teams to track them down.
The gang leader Sunil was traced near the Red Cross Blind School at Ambapua area of the city at around 11.15 p.m. When the police personnel cornered him, Sunil opened fire at them. In retaliation, inspector in-charge of Baidyanathpur police station of Berhampur fired at Sunil who was hit on his legs. An injured Sunil was arrested and shifted to MKCG medical college and hospital. Later police raids in different parts of the city led to the arrest of 12 other gang members. All of them are residents of Berhampur. The youngest member of this gang is 19 years old and the eldest are 25 years. Five bikes, one pistol, one toy pistol and a sword were seized from possession of this gang.