The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police, led by SP Amitabh Yash put an end to Shiv Kumar Kurmi alias Dadua (52), a dreaded dacoit. He was carrying Rs 5,00,000 while he was shot at, on Sunday morning.

The dacoit, for the last 27 years, had terrorised Allahabad, Banda and Fatehpur districts of Uttar Pradesh, and Satna, Chatarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh. The police shot  him just as he was settling down for his morning prayers. He is noted to have eluded the  police with 200 cases of loot and dacoity besides 150 cases of murders. Eleven other associates were also shot down.

By 3.30 a.m on Sunday morning, the STF had positioned itself in the Markundi forest that hugs Manikpur. Three hours later, Dadua and his eleven comrades were attacked. Dadua died, while the rest of the gang scampered away. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who had pressed for action against the dacoit, has declared a reward of Rs 1,00,000, each to the members of the police team, which liquidated the gang.