Police on Saturday arrested three criminals following an exchange of fire in Ragada forest under Gangapur police limits.
Police said the three had opened fire and hurled crude bombs at Lathipada village under Soroda police limits on Friday night, besides raiding the house of one Jayaram Swain, president of Sandhipalli Vane Surakhya Samiti. They attacked Swain, his son and nephew and looted `40,000 cash and other household articles.
While a search operation was on in the forest area on Saturday, the miscreants fired at the police and the latter retaliated. In the exchange of fire, one of the miscreants identified as Brundaban Nayak - a dreaded criminal of Bhanjanagar area - was injured. While the rest two were trying to flee, police overpowered them.
Two mousers, four live bullets, three mobile phones and a motorcycle were seized from their possession. Swain, his son and nephew were admitted to Bhanjanagar hospital and the injured miscreant was admitted to MKCG Medical.
Body Found
Tension ran high in Sanaburuda village under Digapahandi police limits following recovery of a highly decomposed body of a youth on Saturday.
Police said the deceased might be around 25 years of age and was killed more than a week back.