local police on Tuesday morning killed leader of Pahadi Chita gang Arjun Sahu in a police encounter.
According to police, exchange of fire occurred between police and gangster Sahu when he along with his two associates clashed with the cops near Tangargaon under Talsara police limits in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The gang had allegedly killed four people on April 16 suspecting them as police informers. One of the gang members was encountered and another was caught by the police during a gun battle on February 8.
Similarly, in another incident, the gang had a clash with the police on February 4 in which one member of the gang was gunned down and a constable was injured in the battle. Since then police intensified combing operation to nab other members of the notorious gang.
The gang has been striking terror at Talsara, Rajgangpur, Subdega and Biramitrapur area in Sundergarh district for last five years.
Hardcore Maoist arrested in Rayagada
Rayagada: One hardcore Maoist of Andhra Odisha Border Srikakulam Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) was arrested by Rayagada police on Tuesday. He was serving as Area Committee Member (ACM) in the Koraput-Srikakulam Joint Division of AOBSZC of outlawed CPI (Maoists). He was identified as Gameli China Mohan Rao (25) alias Santosh of Goudaput village under Pedabailu in Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.
He was inducted in the Maoists group in 2007. He was operating in the areas of Bandhugaon, laxmipur of Koraput district and Kashipur of Rayagada district. He is involved in at least 10 to 15 murder cases, the police said.He was involved in the abduction of laxmipur MlA Jhina Hikaka. Police seized a Browning 9mm Belgium made pistol, 16 rounds 9mm ball ammunition, 1 pistol pouch, 1 magazine pouch and other ammunitions from the arrested Maoist.
He disclosed that senior most cadres are now-a-days in practice of extorting money through different sources by threatening businessmen and contractors and use the money for their luxury.