Berhampur: Police have arrested nine persons for allegedly conspiring to kill Susanta Bisoyi, an accused in the murder of another criminal, Rabi Behera, alias Chicken Rabi.

Susant was attacked with bombs and was injured at Lanjipalli main road near Dhipa Sahi under BNPur police station limits here on July 8.

"The attack on Susanta Bisoyi was part of a gang war which was a conspiracy to kill him," said Berhampur police superintendent Pinak Mishra.

Sunil Behera, a resident of Dhipa Sahi who is now lodged at Bhanjanagar sub-jail for his involvement in several criminal cases, had conspired to kill Susant.

"We are yet to ascertain whether the plan was hatched inside the jail or not. But we are planning to take Sunil Behera on remand and interrogate him," Mishra said.

The nine persons who were arrested are Raja Das, Bapa Mishra, Santosh Sethi, Dipuna Naik, Pintu Behera, Sunil Mishra, Rabindra Das, Susant Sahu and Sanyasi Sethi.

The Police have seized four motorcycles, five mobile phones and four live bombs from them. The cops are looking for two more persons.

"We formed four police teams to nab these criminals. We were able to identity them on the basis of CCTV footage, intelligence inputs and available evidence," Mishra said.

Susanta Bisoyi and four others - Rajesh Bishoyi, Muna Maharana, Govind Naik and Gopi Patra - who were injured in the bomb attack are being treated at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

Siba Bishoyi, son of Susanta Bisoyi, was released on bail from Berhampur Circle Jail.

"We are apprehending another gang war here. Adequate police have been deployed in all the four entry points of Lanjipalli to avoid any untoward incident," the Berhampur police superintendent said.