Bhubaneswar: A notorious criminal was injured in an encounter at Rampela under Rengali police station in Sambalpur on Saturday.
The police were looking for the dreaded criminal Sanjiv Karali in a robbery incident, which took place at a grid construction site under Charamal police station on November 22. While the police had arrested four people in this incident, Sanjiv Karali was absconding. He was the mastermind of the robbery case and was hiding in Rampela with a gun.
On receiving a tip-off, the police arrived and attempted to arrest Sanjiv Karali. However, he fired at the police, prompting them to retaliate. One bullet hit Sanjiv Karali in the right leg. Karali was first taken to Rengali Health Centre and later shifted to Burla’s VIMSAR hospital for further treatment.
Sanjeev has around 23 cases of theft, robbery, and cheating registered in various police stations, Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamu said.
“We received information about his arrival in Rengali area. Accordingly, police team tried to ascertain his whereabouts. When police team asked him to surrender, he opened fire at the police. In self-defense, police also retaliated, in which he suffered bullet injuries on his right leg. He was provided primary treatment at Rengali police station and later shifted to VIMSAR, Burla, for further treatment. He is now out of danger,” SP Mukesh Bhamu said.
“Our topmost priority is crime control. Stringent actions are being taken against the criminal committing heinous crimes. The drive will continue,” said IG (Northern range) Himanshu Lal.