Sambalpur: In yet another crackdown under ‘Nisha-Mukt Odisha Abhiyan’, a notorious drug peddler was injured in an encounter with Rengali police in Sambalpur district early Sunday morning.
The injured accused has been identified as Pritam. He has been admitted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. According to police, the encounter took place at around 6:15 AM near Jangla village under Rengali police station limits.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rengali police was patrolling the Jangla-Pandoloi road after receiving information that a large quantity of codeine-mixed cough syrup was being smuggled in two cars from Cuttack towards Katarbaga-Thelkoloi via the forest route.
During checking, police intercepted one car and detained its driver. Another occupant fled into the nearby forest.
Meanwhile, another number plate-less car coming from behind lost control and rammed into a roadside tree. When police approached the vehicle, its driver opened fire in an attempt to flee.
In retaliatory firing, police shot the accused in his right leg and overpowered him. Police seized a huge quantity of codeine cough syrup, a country-made pistol and two cars from the spot. The injured accused was immediately rushed to hospital. Further investigation is underway.
