Keonjhar: Police arrested nine armed history-sheeters during a clash between two rival gangs on Sunday.
The criminals, who were active members of crime syndicates active in the mining areas of Barbil, were nabbed from Damuhoting while they were fighting a pitched battle. Two criminals from both the factions were injured in the clash.
An SUV, live bombs, arms and ammunition were seized from their possession. Nine criminals - Sunil Patra, Roshan Gupta, Jashpal Singh, Goutam Swain, Kushal Kenth, Muna Patra, Shiba Patra, Mohammad Muzaffar and Bikram Pradhan - were arrested and remanded to judicial custody, said Barbil police station inspector Jagannath Mallick.
All the arrested accused persons had history of crimes. Their area of operation was mainly confined to the mining belts. They mainly dabbled in extorting mining companies and ore transporters, he said, adding that the police were on the lookout for them for a long time. They were evading arrest and most of them had gone underground.
The Barbil region is considered as one of the largest iron ore producing areas of the country and accounts for five iron ore mines. Besides, these mineral-rich belts also house manganese mines.
"The hectic mining activities have brought in its wake influx of thousands of people to the township to earn livelihood on a daily basis. Side by side, criminals sneak into the township, triggering lawlessness. As the township lies in close proximity to Jhakhand, lawbreakers from the neighbouring state masquerade as labourers and intrude into the urban areas and breach peace in the region," Mallick.
The police have stepped up surveillance on criminals to ensure the safety of law-abiding residents. The major portions of the town have been brought under CCTV surveillance. CCTVs have been put in place at strategic junctions, street corners, marketplaces and crime-prone areas. Occurrences of crimes, particularly robbery, snatching and extortion, is on the rise in Barbil police limits.
Daring crimes such as murders were committed in the township in past years.
