Cuttack, May 26: Police today begun probe into the shootout incident, in which a criminal was injured late last night. The incident is believed to be fallout of a gang war.
Riyaz Bux alias Papu sustained a bullet injury on his back when four goons open fired at him near Chunabhatti Lane around 11.30pm. The police said Riyaz, who hailed from Bankabazar, had criminal antecedents and was involved in a series of loot and extortion incidents in the city.
Out of the total 13 cases, seven are registered against Riyaz in Lalbagh police station. It is suspected that the goons shot at the Riyaz, who used to work for a criminal gang, over past rivalry. However, family members of the criminal have ruled out any kind of enmity with others.
“It is over five years that Riyaz has been eking out a living by driving an autorickshaw,” said Riyaz’s brother Fakir Bux.
Fakir said the incident had taken place when they were returning home in the evening. “Four criminals came on two motorcycles and abused us. Later, they fired three rounds of bullets and one hit my brother,” he said.
“All the accused involved in the firing have been identified and are absconding. Raids are being conducted on various places and the criminals will be nabbed soon,” said a senior police official.