The Hindu : National : Dacoit's three-decade-long terror reign ends

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Wednesday, Nov 09, 2005

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Dacoit's three-decade-long terror reign ends

Gujjar was wanted in 175 criminal cases

— PHOTO: PTI

END OF TERROR: Chambal brigand Nirbhay Singh Gujjar after he was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force in Etawah on Monday night.

Etawah (U.P.): Dacoit Nirbhay Singh Gujjar, who struck terror in the Chambal ravines for nearly three decades, was gunned down on Monday night by Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force in a dense forest in Etawah district, police officers said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (STF) Akhil Kumar, who led the operation against 47-year-old Gujjar carrying a reward of Rs. 2 lakh on his head, said the encounter lasted for over one and a half hours.

Secret operation

Mr. Kumar said the entire operation against Gujjar, who was wanted in more than 175 criminal cases, including those of murder and kidnapping, was kept a secret and that was one of the reasons for its success.

Encounter at Sitapur village

He said there were five or six members of the Gujjar gang when the encounter took place at Sitapur village under Ajitmal police station.

The fate of the other gang members was not known.

Mr. Kumar said a combing operation would be launched in the area once police reinforcements arrived.

Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Alok Sinha said in Lucknow that Gujjar was shot dead in the encounter with STF in the jungles of Sitapur village.

The dacoit used to operate in a vast swathe of territory from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh to Bhind in Madhya Pradesh. — PTI

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