Police nabbed notorious criminal Rashmi Ranjan Panda alias Gundu Panda after an encounter near the Siddhamahabir area of the town in the wee hours of Tuesday.
A special team of police had chased Gundu and there was an exchange of fire, in which the criminal suffered bullet injuries on his legs. He was admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital.
Notably, Gundu had shot another criminal, Rakesh Kumar, over past enmity at Kumutipatna in the town on Monday evening.
As per the statements of Rakesh, Gundu shot at him; and later with the help of his associates, bundled him on to a bike and took him to Siddhamahabir, where they fired some more shots at him.
However, Rakesh managed to escape from the clutches of Gundu and his associates and hid in the bushes for over two hours, following which police traced and nabbed him.
He was admitted to hospital for preliminary treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Both Rakesh and Gundu are history-sheeters and wanted in several criminal cases in the town and nearby areas.
Meanwhile, repeated incidents of firing and bombings have raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the pilgrim town.