In a daring broad daylight robbery, three bike-borne miscreants allegedly opened fire and looted Rs 7 lakh from a cash van of a private cash management company near IFFCO Square in the port town on Friday.
According to sources, the incident occurred when three guards of a private company were transporting the cash to upload it in an ATM machine in the afternoon. Three miscreants intercepted the van near IFFCO Square and opened fire at the guards before decamping with Rs 7 lakh. One of the guards, Sanjay Das of Purudi village under the Tirtol police station, sustained bullet injuries on his leg in the attack. He was shifted to the Paradip Port Trust Hospital.
On being informed, police reached the spot and launched a probe into the matter. A manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits, police sources said. However, the incident has triggered deep resentment among the locals, who have demanded the police to take adequate steps to improve the deteriorating law and order situation in the port town.