Man wanted in 38 cases killed in police encounter

Varanasi: A criminal was killed and a police constable suffered bullet injuries during the exchange of fire between two men on a bike and Azamgarh police in Nahrumpur on Wednesday night.

The deceased identified as Laxman Yadav, resident of Devara Jadad village of Maharajganj area, was involved in 38 cases of murder, loot and other crimes.

Ambedkarnagar and Azamgarh police had kept cash rewards of Rs one lakh and Rs 50,000 on him respectively. He had recently killed the brother of a retired DIG JP Singh in Ambedkarnagar.

Azamgarh SP Triveni Singh on Thursday said, “After being tipped off, a joint team of Maharajganj police and crime branch cordoned Nahrumpur area after midnight and started searching vehicles. In the meantime, two men on a bike passed through the area. When the cops tried to stop them, the duo opened fire on the police indisciminately. A constable Surendra Yadav suffered bullet injuries.”

Police retaliated in a similar style. In an attempt to dodge the cops, the duo left their motorcycle on the road and ran into a waterlogged paddy field. During the search drive, police found Laxman lying in a pool of blood in the field. His accomplice managed to escape.

“Laxman was rushed to a local hospital where he died during the course of treatment on Thursday morning. He had reached Azamgarh on Wednesday to kill a gram pradhan (village head). Raids are on to nab the absconding accomplice of Laxman,” Singh said.