Jharsuguda: Notorious criminal Banti Prasad was seriously injured in an exchange of fire with police in the Amdarah forest under Orient police station limits in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district. Police arrested him after a bullet hit his left leg during the encounter.

Prasad, a wanted criminal facing around 17 serious criminal cases, allegedly opened fire at a police team when he realised that he had been surrounded during a combing operation.

According to police sources, the Orient police received information that Prasad, a resident of the Hanuman Nagar area, was hiding in the Amdarah forest. Acting on the tip-off, a special police team cordoned off the forest and launched a search operation to nab him.

When the police team approached him, Prasad allegedly fired at the personnel in an attempt to escape arrest. The police personnel narrowly escaped injury and retaliated with controlled firing in self-defence. A bullet struck Prasad in his left leg, causing him to fall to the ground.

The police subsequently took him into custody and shifted him to the Khaliakani Community Health Centre for treatment. An illegal firearm was also seized from the spot.

Wanted in 17 Serious Cases

Police had been searching for Prasad in connection with Orient police station case No. 249/2026. He is allegedly involved in around 17 serious cases registered at Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar and Orient police stations.

The cases include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit dacoity, organised crime and illegal firearms dealings.

Zero Tolerance for Organised Crime

Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra said maintaining law and order and taking strict action against criminals remained the police's top priorities.

According to the SP, Prasad fired directly at the police team and attempted to flee, forcing the personnel to retaliate in self-defence.

He said the district police had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards organised crime and the illegal arms trade. Criminals taking the law into their own hands would not be spared, he added.

The SP further said police were keeping a close watch on Prasad's associates and suspected arms suppliers. Investigators would work to uncover the wider network linked to the criminal activities, he added.