Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Udham Singh Nagar Police have arrested 15 criminals in encounters over the past five months, following a strict directive from SSP Manikant Mishra to curb crime in the district.
On September 6, 2024, SSP Mishra took charge of Udham Singh Nagar. Soon after, forest smugglers launched a major attack on forest personnel, prompting him to instruct his team to take decisive action against criminals.
On Tuesday, two criminals were arrested in separate encounters in Nanakmatta and Sitarganj.
In the first incident, a police team in Nanakmatta was conducting a routine check in Gidhaur and Gyanpur Gaudi when they signaled a motorcycle without a number plate to stop. The rider attempted to flee and opened fire on the police with a 315-bore pistol. In retaliatory action, the accused was shot in the right leg and apprehended. He was identified as Bhupendra Singh alias Raju, son of late Gurdeep Singh alias Billu, a resident of Gidhaur. Police recovered 260 grams of illegal smack and cash from him. “The accused was wanted in two cases of smack smuggling,” said a police official.
In Sitarganj, another wanted criminal, Vikas Pal, fired at police to evade arrest but was shot in the leg and captured. Officers recovered a country-made 315-bore pistol, a live cartridge, a motorcycle, and stolen items, including an ATM card and Rs 1,100 in cash.
“With 15 criminals arrested in encounters, crime is being crushed, and public confidence in law enforcement is rising,” said SSP Mishra.
