Patna, Sept. 2: Special task force and district armed police personnel nabbed seven criminals and seized arms and ammunition during a joint operation at Hussainchak diara in Begusarai district, around 120km east of Patna, on Saturday.

The security personnel had to face a volley of bullets from the gang led by Tutli Mahto when they raided the hideout in the riverine belt of the district, considered to be tough for policing. However, there was no report of any injury or casualty in the firing.

Newly appointed Begusarai superintendent of police (SP) Adiya Kumar said the joint team carried out the raid following a tip-off that the members of the Tutli Mahto gang had assembled in the area to commit a major operation.

On seeing the police, the criminals started firing indiscriminately. The police fired in retaliation, forcing them to surrender. 'Later, a regular rifle, three muskets, two country-made pistols, 55 live cartridges, bindaulia and seven mobiles were seized from their possession. The police fired 10 rounds in self-defence,' the SP added.

The officer said the gang used to operate in the riverine areas of Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai and Muzaffarpur districts. 'Over a dozen cases were pending against the seven in Begusarai district alone,' he said.

Police said no member of the gang had been arrested earlier though they had close links with Maoists. Those arrested were identified as Birendra Mahto, Bablu Mahto, Rajaram Mahot, Monul, Hareram Mahto, Chandan Mahto and Manoj Mahto. Of them, Birendra and Monul were the sharpshooters of the gang. The kingpin, Tutli, however, managed to flee. Sources said Tutli had fled a few of hours before the police raided his hideouts.

Electrocution

One person was burnt to death and five others, including a minor boy, suffered burns after coming in contact with a live wire at Bagaha, West Champaran

While one of them died on the spot, five injured were rushed to the government hospital.