BERHAMPUR: Jitendra Sethi alias Jitu, a notorious criminal and an aide of former Congress MLA Ramesh Jena, was arrested by Gopalpur police after an exchange of fire on Friday. Jitu of Ramchandrapur village under Gopalpur police limits was into criminal activities since 2000 and had attacked a police officer in Nabarangpur. He was also involved in several crimes including murder, extortion, snatching but was absconding, said Sadar SDPO Ashok Mohanty.
On a tip-off that Jitu and his associates were in a mango orchard near Dhableswar temple, a police team, led by Golonthara IIC Alok Jena, reached the spot and gheraoed him. On seeing police, Jitu opened three rounds of fire at the men in uniform. Police retaliated and two bullets hit Jitu in the left knee. Despite being injured, Jitu tried to flee from the spot but was overpowered by the IIC. The IIC also sustained injuries in the process. Police seized a loaded pistol from Jitu. However, taking advantage of the situation, his associates managed to escape. Besides a case in Nabarangpur against Jitu, nine cases are pending in Gopalpur police station, three in Baidyanathpur police station and one in Digapahandi police station. Jitu has been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, the SDPO said. With the arrest of Jitu, the total number of Jena’s associates who have been nabbed has gone up to 30.