Berhampur: The prime accused in the brutal assault on a young couple sustained injuries in an encounter near Tamana forest late on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday. Accused Mukesh Kumar Sahu (29) of Hillpatna suffered gunshot injuries on both legs, while a sub-inspector also sustained minor injuries, added police.Inspector general of police (southern range) Niti Sekhar said Sahu allegedly tried to escape custody and open fire at the police while being taken to identify the hideouts of other accused. Police said he snatched a pistol from a personnel and fired prompting them to retaliate in “self-defence” with controlled firing, injuring him. “He has been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital and is stated to be stable,” said SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M.Police described Sahu as a history-sheeter allegedly involved in at least 10 criminal cases, mostly attempt to murder. According to the police, Sahu and his four associates had allegedly assaulted Umesh Rath, who was riding a motorcycle with his girlfriend, on Giri Road in full public view. Rath sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Visakhapatnam.Hours after Sahu’s arrest, his younger brother, Asish Kumar Sahu (23) also allegedly involved in the incident, surrendered before police on Thursday. “We have arrested two more persons, including Asish, in connection with the assault,” said SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M. The other accused arrested on Thursday was Dinesh Panda. Two persons were arrested on Wednesday. There are Raj Malhotra (21) of Gajapati Nagar and Lingaraj Samal (24) of Sriram Nagar.Two scooters, a bamboo stick used in the assault, and mobile phones have been seized. A case has been registered at the town police station against five persons based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother.
