(News) Wanted dacoit killed in encounter

News : Wanted dacoit killed in encounter

Makar Sankranti - an auspicious day when the devout take a holy dip into the Sangam at Allahabad to wash off their sins -- which was
celebrated on Wednesday, proved to be a day worth remembering for the men in khaki for an altogether different reason. They shot dead a dreaded dacoit, Naan Babu alias Rehem Singh at the banks of the river Sasur Khaderi where he had come to threaten some fish contractors in Fatehpur district, adjoining Allahabad.

Carrying a cash reward of Rs 20,000 on his head, Naan Babu was presently heading the listed notorious and inter-state gang of Shanker Kewat ever since the latter was eliminated in an ambush with the police in 2006. The gang operated in the Chambal region and had more than 100 cases lodged against them with the UP and Madhya Pradesh police.

Additional director general of police (ADG) Law & Order, Crime and STF, Brij Lal told TOI that regular inputs were being received on the movements of Naan Babu in Allahabad, Chitrakoot and adjoining regions. While tracing one such input, the STF learnt that Naan Babu was slated to visit the banks of the river Sasur Khaderi in Khakhreru police circle of Fatehpur district. Naan Babu was to mediate and resolve a dispute between some fish contractors of the region from whom he allegedly collected protection money on regular basis.

A special STF team from Allahabad field unit was deputed to arrest Naan Babu. The team intercepted Naan Babu when he arrived at the scene but the latter allegedly opened fire at the sleuths. In the retaliatory firing, Naan Babu was killed.

Brij Lal said that Naan Babu had over a dozen cases pending against him lodged with the UP Police including 10 of them with the Chitrakoot district police alone. Senior officials were in touch with their Madhya Pradesh counterparts for details of criminal cases pending against Naan Babu. Police recovered a single barrel factory made gun, a country-made pistol and cartridges from the site of the ambush.

Courtesy : Timesofindia.indiatimes.com