Cuttack, June 3: Police today arrested two youths in connection with the recent firing at the kin of a drug store owner at Mangalabag.

The accused have been identified as Babuni Kahali, 25, and Mahesh Ray, 27, alias Jitu, of Machuabazar and Manisahu Chhak, respectively.

Babuni and Mahesh were “unemployed” after completion of matriculation examination and involved in a series of petty crimes at Mangalabag for the past couple of years.

Mahesh was also arrested in connection with a bombing incident at Manisahu chhak in August 2011.

Earlier, four youths, including Chandan Behera, 25, a college student, were arrested in connection with the bombing on one Aranab Enterprises at Mani Sahu Chhak on August 3, 2011, for a ransom of Rs 5 lakh. The incident had instilled a sense of fear among local businessmen.

Behera was a Plus Three first-year student at Sanskrit College.

A senior police officer said a lot of unemployed youth were taking to crimes to earn quick money. Mostly, they use to resort to chain snatching and extorting local traders at gunpoint.

In the recent incident, both the accused along with another prime accused, who is still absconding, had fired at Tukuna Bag, 20, to terrorise him, so that he would force his brother to withdraw the FIR.

“We have been successful in arresting two persons involved in the firing at the kin of the drug store owner. The accused had demanded Rs 1,000 in a bid to make easy money ahead of the festive season,” said additional deputy commissioner of police Bidyutlata Nayak.

Nayak also said the police were closely monitoring various gangs of petty criminals. A special squad has also been formed to put a check on illegal arms trade in the city.

Though the city cops have claimed a breakthrough in the Managalabagh firing case, Badambadi police are yet to nab those involved in the killing of bus owner Amarendra Rout.

Amarendra was shot dead by two unidentified persons while he was on his way to Angul bus stand June 1. However, a senior police official claimed that few suspects had been detained and further investigation was on.