Two members of inter-state gang arrested by police

Police today arrested two more members of an inter-state gang of robbers after an exchange of fire in Odisha's Ganjam district, a police officer said.

Two pistols, three rounds of ammunition, cash around 2.25 lakh, a car and six mobile phone sets were seized from them, said sub divisional police officer (SDPO) Chhatrapur Ramesh Chandra Sethi.

The robbers received bullet injuries on their legs and have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here for treatment.

The duo were member of an inter-state gang of robbers, involved in looting of Rs 25.30 lakh from an employee of toll gate at Gurapalli near Khallikote on July 2, he said.

Police yesterday had arrested six member of the gang and seized a pistol, three ammunition, two cars, three two-wheelers and cash around Rs 10.15 lakh from them.

With arrest of the duo, total eight persons have been arrested in the robbery of toll gate employee, so far, police said.

"We have information about their movement on the National Highway. We intercepted their vehicle, when their car was coming from Berhampur. They first fired at the policemen who retaliated," said inspector in-charge, Khallikote Bibekananda Swain.

He said at least three police personnel, including the IIC received minor injuries during the exchange of fire with them.

Besides the loot from the tollgate employee, the gang was involved in several heinous crimes, including the murder, dacoits in highway in different areas of the state and also in out of the state, including Adhra Pradesh and Mumbai, police said.

"We are verifying to ascertain their criminal records," said Swain.

At least five unknown armed motorbike borne miscreants had robbed cash around Rs 25.30 lakh from the manager of the toll gate near Haridamula junction under Khallikote police station limit by assaulting the driver of the car on which he was travelling.