In a dramatic early morning operation, a notorious criminal with over fifty cases against him was shot and injured by police in Odisha's Bhadrak district. The incident, which unfolded near Charampa Malgodown, marks a significant breakthrough for local law enforcement.
Early Morning Chase and Exchange of Fire
The encounter took place around 5:15 am on Tuesday, following a specific tip-off received by Bhadrak Town police about the accused's movements. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, which came in around 4:30 am, a six-member police team led by the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) rushed to the location.
Police officials stated that the accused, identified as Kamalakant Das alias Budhia from Tudigadia village in Balasore district, was riding a black motorcycle without a registration number. An associate was with him at the time. When the police team attempted to intercept the motorcycle, Budhia allegedly opened fire directly at the officers, including the IIC.
In what the police described as retaliatory action, the team fired back. A bullet struck Budhia in his right leg, seriously injuring him. He was immediately taken into custody. His associate, however, seized the chaotic moment to flee the scene and remains absconding.
Notorious Past and Immediate Aftermath
Budhia is confirmed to be a hardened criminal with a long history of offences. Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Rout revealed that more than 50 criminal cases are registered against Budhia across multiple districts including Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, and his home district of Balasore.
"We received specific intelligence that he was planning to commit an armed crime in the Bhadrak area. Acting on this, our team chased him. The police retaliated only after the accused opened fire," SP Rout explained.
Following the shootout, police recovered a pistol and three live rounds of ammunition from Budhia's possession. Due to the severity of his injury, he was first admitted to the Bhadrak district headquarters hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was later referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.
Manhunt Intensifies and Security Tightened
In the wake of the encounter, the police have launched a comprehensive search operation to apprehend the fugitive associate. Special police teams have been formed under the leadership of Prabhash Mishra, the IIC of Bhadrak Town, to trace the absconding individual.
To prevent any potential disturbance and to maintain public order, security checks and verification drives have been significantly intensified across Bhadrak town. The police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the situation remains under control and to bring the remaining suspect to justice.
This encounter highlights the ongoing challenges faced by police in dealing with repeat offenders and the risks involved in apprehending armed criminals. The operation underscores the police's proactive stance based on actionable intelligence to prevent serious crimes.
