Berhampur: Aska police have arrested nine members of a gang, including the mastermind Ranjit Swain, who were involved in three murder cases.

"The gang was involved in Jilu Gouda murder case that took place in Karnoli village on April 4, 2016. They were also involved in another two similar crimes in the village - Balaram Gouda abduction and killing on June 27, 2016 and killing of truck driver Senapati Bishoyi. The murders were carried out in connection with a village dispute," said Aska sub divisional police officer Subhash Chandra Panda.

"We have seized a pistol along with live cartridges, a sword, one Tata Indigo car, one Ambassador car and one truck from the possession of the gang members," Panda said.

The arrested accused have been identified as Ranjit Kumar Swain, Ranjit Kumar Pradhan, Sankar Swain, Prafulla Kumar Bisoyi, Sambhu Bisoyi, Sushant Kumar Bhuyan alias Tukula, Uma Charan Barada, Nilanchal Swain alias Kankada and Prabhakar Swain alias Tunguru. They were forwarded to the court on Saturday.

According to sources, the mastermind of the gang, Ranjit Swain, and Prafulla Kumar Bisoyi of Karnoli village had enmity with Jitu Bishoyi and his nephew Aswini of the same village. Bishoyi also became the enemy of a senior local BJD leader and former president Aska town unit Satya Narayan Swain after a dispute in appointment of labourers in the FCI godown at Karnoli village.

"The gang members conspired to kill Jitu Bishoyi on April 4, 2016 by a speeding truck when he along with Jilu Gouda was returning to home on a motorbike from his fertilizer and pesticide shop. But Jilu Gouda died and Jitu Bishoyi escaped," said Aska police station inspector Santosh Jena.

"We are also investigating the alleged involvement of the BJD leader Satya Narayan Swain for attempt to suppress the murder case of Jilu Gouda who took Rs 40,000 from Ranjit Swain," Jena said.