Dharwad: The Vidyagiri police in the wee hours on Saturday shot in both the legs of a notorious criminal who in a bid to escape attacked two policemen near Salu Marada Timmakka Park at Rayapur.
Police on a tip-off confronted Pala Venkateshwara, the leader of a dacoity gang known as Chaddi gang from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, near Navalur in Dharwad when he was hatching a plan to loot another house in the vicinity on Friday late night.
The police led by PSI Pramod overpowered and took him into custody. However, Pala Venkateshwara made a bid to escape from them after attacking the PSI and a constable. In a counterattack,
PSI Pramod shot at both the legs of Pala Venkateshwara and caught him.
The accused and two police officials who sustained injuries have been admitted to KMC-RI in Hubballi. The police have launched a manhunt to nab other four members of the gang.
Dacoity case
Police Commissioner N Shashikumar, briefing reporters, said that six months ago, a dacoity took place in the house belonging to Ashok Kadam behind SDM Medical College in Navalur area under Vidyagiri Police Station limits.
A gang of five persons who had masked their faces had used a boulder to break open the house door of Kadam. They had even brutally assaulted the couple and had made away with valuables.
The police who had launched a search, had got a tip-off following the CCTV footage and zeroed it on the infamous Chaddi gang of Andhra Pradesh. Later, special teams were also formed to nab the accused.
Pala Venkateshwara was involved in more than 80 house thefts and dacoity cases. He had formed a gang and they used to break open the house using boulders and had assaulted the family members. Cases have been booked against him in several police stations across five states.
Police thanked
This dacoity incident sent shivers down the spine of the people in the twin cities. People in Hubballi-Dharwad, while thanking the police officials for showing daredevilry in nabbing the gang, have urged the police to intensify night patrolling and take further steps to protect people.