Rourkela, July 22: Bike-borne goons looted cash worth Rs 5.5 lakh at gunpoint from an employee of a rice wholesale store at Bishradahar Road last evening.
The goons also severely injured the victim with the butt of their pistols. Following a complaint from the victim, Udit Nagar police has launched a manhunt to arrest the accused persons.
The injured, identified as Balaram Sahu alias Kalia, has been admitted to Ispat General hospital with severe injuries on his head.
Kalia was working for the rice wholesale store of Naresh Agarwal at the daily market in Dingodena Hotel Lane. Last evening, he was carrying Rs 5.5 lakh cash from the store to Agarwal’s residence at Bishradahar Road. He was entering into the house when two motorcycle-borne goons attacked him and fled with the bag.
“As it was raining heavily, I could not see if anyone was following me or not. As I parked my bike in front of the house and was about to enter, they attacked me. When I opposed their attempts, they hit my head with the butt of the pistol,” said Kalia.
People shortly gathered there hearing his screams. But, the goons threatened to kill them if they tried to capture them. In no time, they snatched the bag from a profusely bleeding Kalia and fled the spot on their motorcycle.
Local residents immediately informed Udit Nagar Police and admitted the victim to a nearby hospital. A senior officer of Udit Nagar police station, Sujata Panda, said that they had got the complaint and were investigating into the matter.
“We have formed several teams and are conducting raids at various places. We hope to arrest the accused very soon,” said the officer.
Udit Nagar has lately become a den for snatchers who have been striking people at their will.
On April 28 this year, two motorcycle-borne goons allegedly snatched away Rs 2.5 lakh cash from two women in front of their house at Ballughat while they were returning from a bank at Udit Nagar after withdrawing the money.
In September last year, two motorcycle-borne youths had snatched away Rs 2.8 lakh cash from a contractor who was returning after withdrawing money from the same bank in Udit Nagar.