Jeetu Sethi, another close associate of arrested former Congress MLA Ramesh Jena, was injured in an exchange of fire with the police and arrested in the Ganjam district of Odisha on Friday.
According to Berhampur Superintendent of Police Ashis Singh, the exchange of fire took place inside a cashew orchard near the Dhabaleswar temple under the Gopalpur police station limits between 11.30 a.m. to noon. Jeetu fired three rounds at the police personnel who retaliated with two rounds. Both the bullets pierced Jeetu’s left leg. He was arrested and admitted to the MKCG medical college and hospital in Berhampur. One revolver was seized from his possession. Inspector-in-charge of Golanthara police station, Alok Jena, who was involved in this operation, received minor injuries.
Jeetu is a hardened criminal and alleged key member of crime syndicate of Ramesh. At least 14 cases related to murder, murder attempt, rape, bombing, illegal arms dealing are pending against him in different police stations, police sources said. After arrest of Ramesh, the police were trying to track down Jeetu.
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Receiving information that he was in the orchard, two police teams led by inspectors in charge of Gopalpur and Golanthara police stations raided the area, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Berhampur Sadar, Ashok Kumar Mohanty. Jeetu was rounded up and asked to surrender, but he fired at the police, Mr Mohanty added.