Rourkela, Aug. 4: Rajgangpur police arrested the Odisha head of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) today along with another accomplice, giving a lethal blow to the gang of extortionists.

Confirming the arrest of Bijaykant, the area commander of the PLFI, deputy inspector of police (western range) Y.K. Jethwa said it was a big catch as he was the mastermind of many activities including the recent killing of BJD leader Harpal Singh and the robbery attempt at Nuagaon.

“He has been booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code,” said the senior police officer.

Jethwa said a police team had proceeded to the Lodhabasa forest on an intelligence input that Bijaykant was hiding there.

Sensing the presence of the police, Bijaykant tried to run and fired a shot at the chasing police team. “The team fired back and one bullet hit his right thigh, following which it was easy for us to catch them,” he said.

Along with him, the police also arrested one of his accomplices, Rajesh Tirky of Rajgangpur. The police recovered two country-made single shot pistols, eight live bullets, five mobile phones, four SIM cards, some leaflets and one camera.

Bijaykant had a direct hand in the killing of BJD activist Hardeep Singh, who was also a contractor and the former deputy head of Rajgangpur block.

In the last couple of weeks, Sundergarh and Rourkela police had cracked down PLFI gangs at many places. The gangs had recently stepped up their activities at a very rapid pace.

On July 29, the police arrested 11 members of the organisation.

Its masterminds Hira Singh and Dinesh Gope are also on the target of Jharkhand and Odisha police and teams from the both the states are on their pursuit.

The 11 arrested persons included Biresh alias Bijaya Ekka, who, along with Chotu alias Bijaykant, had abducted Singh near Koladihi jungle and killed him near Bilegarh.