Jatni: In a major breakthrough, Jatni Police successfully foiled a planned dacoity and arrested five persons from within the town limits, seizing deadly weapons and other materials intended for use in the crime.
Police sources said that Jatni Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Stalin Biswal on Tuesday night received specific and credible information that a group of youths was planning to commit a dacoity near Maniya Chhak under the jurisdiction of Jatni Police Station. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the IIC ordered the formation of a special team to prevent the crime.
Following the instructions, a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Akash Kumar Behera laid a strategic ambush near the Shiva temple at Maniya Chhak. When the suspects arrived at the spot and noticed the police presence, they attempted to escape by fleeing in different directions. However, the alert police personnel chased them and successfully apprehended all five accused.
During the subsequent search, police recovered two large swords, one sharp knife, sticks, chilli powder and two large liquor bottles from their possession. The nature of the seized articles indicated that the accused were fully prepared to carry out the planned dacoity.
The arrested persons were identified as Jitendra Rautaray of the Khudupur area, Ansar Sahu of Rathipur, Sujit Kumar Biswal of Gajapati Nagar, Shyamsundar Behera of the Machh Market area and Manoj Kumar Nayak of Loco Colony. Police confirmed that all five accused are residents within the limits of Jatni Police Station.
Further verification revealed that some of the accused have a criminal history. Ansar Sahu is reportedly involved in at least ten previous cases related to dacoity, theft, assault and offences under the Arms Act. Jitendra Rautaray has three previous cases registered against him, while Sujit Kumar Biswal is involved in two earlier cases, police said.
A case has been registered in this connection and further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused are involved in other criminal activities in the region.
