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Gujjar's killing compels other bandits to realign

Fatehpur: The gunning down of dreaded dacoit Nirbhay Gujjar by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh police recently, has triggered a realignment of sorts among the remaining bandits, possibly for countering the growing `khakhi' might.

The killing of the dacoit carrying a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh on his head and 191 murders under his belt has forced once foes to come to the talking table.

While another notorious dacoit Ambika Patel alias Thokia, probably the next target of the police has recently approached his bete noire Shiv Kumar alias Dadua, nicknamed `U.P.'s Veerapan'. The members of the now leaderless Gujjar gang, are gradually shifting their allegiance to the Thokia gang.

Official sources said here that Thokia met Dadua - carrying a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh on his head - in the Shitalpur village of this district and sought from him armed and financial assistance for countering the prospective police swoop against his gang.

Infamous for his brutality, Thokia, interestingly has long been at odds with Dadua - who holds immense political clout in districts of Central U.P. and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. But the similarity of being from the same Patel caste, has made Thokia, seek help from the Dadua, who has remained elusive to police of both the States for the last 30 years, sources added

The dacoit carrying a reward of Rs 1.35 lakh on his head was not alone in meeting Dadua, but heads of rival gangs, Shankar and Umar Kewat, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 each on their head, accompanied him to Dadua.

Dadua's assurance

Dadua has remained far from the police net, despite a 30-year old joint "Operation Dadua" of both the State Governments.

Sources said the meeting of Thokia, Shankar and Umar with the senior brigand, perhaps residing in the Vidhya mountain range, turned fruitful with the latter providing Thokia with Rs 50,000 in cash along with two SLR and one high magnum rifle.

Dadua, is also belived to have disclosed the secrets of escaping the police forces to the three including asking Thokia, to discard his mobile which he believes ultimately led to Nirbhay Gujjar's end, sources added. Dadua also asked one of his key aides to render desired assistance to Thokia, in times of need.

After getting a positive response from Dadua, the 67-member strong Thokia gang, now gaining further strength from new recruits who have left the headless Gujjar gang, has set its sight on eliminating the Munni Yadav gang, sources said.

Once a key aide of Thokia, Munni Yadav, who now heads a gang of six, could give key inputs to the police about the hideouts of Thokia. This apprehension has forced Thokia gang, to train their guns on Munni Yadav.

Meanwhile, enthused by the recent success of eliminating Nirbhay Gujjar, Inspector General (Allahabad Zone) A C Sharma said that following Gujjar's end, Thokia's elimination was priority for the police. An elaborate strategy has been chalked out towards this end, he said, but did not disclose anything more on it. -- UNI

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Gujjar's killing compels other bandits to realign

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