Criminal Bibekanada Sahu alias Chaga at S.C.B Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack just after he was shot by goons last night. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 8: A notorious criminal was injured in a shootout in the city last night.

The incident, which is believed to be a fallout of a gang war, has injured Bibekananda Sahu alias Chaga (28).

Chaga, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) twice, was wanted by police in more than 18 cases.

Sources in the police said that unidentified anti-socials opened fire at Chaga near Bombay Hotel in the College Square area of Cuttack city. The incident occurred around 8.45pm when he was returning home from a betel shop.

Chaga, who was hit by a bullet on his upper thigh, was rushed to the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital here. His condition is now stated to be stable.

“A bullet has pierced through his body. But he is out of danger now,” said a doctor who was attending to the injured criminal.

This was the fourth incident of shootout in the city in the last two months. Police suspect Chaga might have been attacked by his rivals as he played a crucial role in the conviction of three accused — Tanmay Kumar Patra alias Tanua, Binay Kumar Patra alias Mentalia and Bijay Patra alias Methu— in connection with the murder of gangster Godhi.

On May 5, all the three accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Godhi. Chaga, who was once an associate of Godhi, was also the key witness in the case, which led to the conviction of the three accused.

“Gang wars have resulted in a number of firing incidents that have taken place in the city in the last couple of months. The latest incident is a fallout of past rivalry between two gangs,” said former inspector-general of police Anadi Sahu.

He said criminals were having an edge over police in the use of sophisticated weapons, including mauser pistols and semi-automatic guns.

Easy money and political patronage are the prime reasons behind the rise of crimes and criminals. Police officers should try to come out with mechanisms to deal with such anti-social elements, he said.

It is also suspected that Chaga might have been attacked by his opponents over past rivalries as he has links with dreaded gangsters as Sandip Acharya alias Raja and Tito.

Police sources said that most of the cases that are pending against him pertain to attempt to murder, extortion, robbery and loot.

Chaga had also been detained under National Security Act (NSA) twice in 2002 and 2007. He was released on bail recently.

The police, however, is clueless about the anti-socials who were involved in the murderous attack on him.

Police sources said that Chaga would be interrogated about the incident after he being discharged from hospital later in the evening.

No FIR was, however, lodged in connection with the firing incident with Malgodown police.

Raids are being conducted at various places to nab the culprits involved in the shootout, said sources in the police.