Kendrapara: History-sheeter Bhabani Prasad Sahu alias Babu was injured in a police encounter on the outskirts of the district headquarters township on Monday.

Babu was an active of member of Tito-led crime syndicate. The gangster, Tito, injured in an encounter with the crime branch's special task force, is lodged in jail.

"Babu was Tito's trusted lieutenant. On directions from the gang leader, Babu used to execute crimes for the gang. He was wanted in at least 50 criminal cases and had mobilised a crime syndicate with assistance of team leader Tito and had unleashed lawlessness. The criminal cases pending against him included murder, attempt to murder, extortion, tender-fixing and illegal arms possession in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Cuttack districts. Since past one year, the criminal had been on the run," said sub-divisional police officer Rajib Lochan Panda.

The criminal has been hospitalised and is out of danger, sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, a special squad of Kendrapara police had intercepted the motorcycle-borne criminal on the Chagharia-Ichhapur road on the outskirts of the township. The criminal suddenly opened fire at the police team. In retaliation, the police were forced to fire at him. He suffered bullet wounds on his right leg. The gunfight had lasted for about five minutes. An improvised revolver, live cartridges, a stolen motorcycle besides explosive substances was seized from his possession," said a police officer.

The latest crackdown on lawbreakers has come in the wake of fast-deteriorating law and order situation in various parts of the district. The failure on part of law-enforcing agencies in curbing the lawlessness had triggered public resentment.