Burla/Sambalpur: A history-sheeter was injured in an encounter with police in the early hours of Sunday after he allegedly opened fire during a routine vehicle checking in Odisha’s Burla.

The injured has been identified as Manish Sahu, a notorious criminal wanted in more than 14 cases, including dacoity, robbery, Arms Act violations, and offences related to illegal Corex cough syrup.

According to sources, personnel from Burla police station were conducting checks near Planetarium Chhak on the intervening night of May 16-17 and signalled a car, coming from the Sambalpur University, to stop around 5 am. Instead of complying, the driver allegedly accelerated away towards the Right Dyke road, leading to a high-speed chase.

Police pursued and intercepted the vehicle near Fishery Chhak. One of the occupants then jumped out and fired three rounds at the police team in an attempt to escape. In self-defence, the police fired two controlled rounds, hitting Sahu in his right leg. While Sahu was shifted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla for treatment, three of his associates, who were travelling in the same car, were also detained. A pistol with one live round, three empty cartridges, the car, five mobile phones, and 10 cartons of Corex cough syrup were seized from them.

A case under the NDPS Act and other relevant sections of the law and further investigation is underway.

This is the second such incident in the last 24 hours. Notorious criminal Dipuna Nayak was injured in a police encounter in Berhampur on Saturday after he allegedly assaulted and pushed one Shyam Behera, a resident of Dhanamera Sahi under Badabazar police limits, off a bridge at Gopalpur where he was sitting due to a personal grudge. Behera was rescued and rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where he is battling for his life with serious injuries. Following a complaint, Gopalpur police nabbed Nayak, using CCTV footage from the area. When police reached Kirtipur village in Gopalpur, where Nayak claimed his associates were hiding, he attempted to flee and resisted arrest by hurling bombs. In the ensuing retaliatory action, police fired in self-defence, injuring Nayak in his left leg. He was immediately taken into custody and admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment. A manhunt is underway to nab his associates.