KEONJHAR: In a major breakthrough, Keonjhar police on Wednesday arrested a nine-member inter-State dacoity gang and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition from them.What surprised police is seizure of a carbine machine gun and an Italy-made pistol apart from and three country-made guns. Four motorcycles and several mobile phones were also recovered from their possession.
Sharing details about the arrest, Keonjhar SP Rajesh Pandit said the gang was planning a robbery at Suakati branch of a nationalised bank on Tuesday night when a team, led by Sadar Police SI Bijay Mallick, nabbed them.
The criminals are involved in several inter-State dacoity cases and so far, police have found at least 20 cases against them in Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Angul and Mayurbhanj districts. There is evidence of their activities in neighbouring Jharkhand too.
The nine have been identified as Kalia alias Jagabandhu Prusty (35), Bamadev Rout (51), Devi alias Rupa alias Talabaraja (30), Pandia alias Palai Birua (24), Ajaya Hembram, Rabi Godasara, Gandhi Sinku, Nilu Mirua (23) and Rajkishore Rout (42).