Patna: In a signal of zero tolerance towards crime, the newly formed Samrat Choudhary-led government has intensified its crackdown with police conducting encounters across the state in the last fortnight. From Siwan to Bhagalpur and Patna, four encounters took place, with two accused killed and two shot in the legs.The CM held a meeting with district magistrates and superintendents of police on the law and order situation a few days ago. During the meeting, he instructed police officers to take immediate action in cases involving heinous crimes against young girls. “Ensure that the criminals’ photographs are garlanded before the terahvi of the deceased girls takes place,” he said.After taking oath as CM on April 15, Samrat directed police to deal with criminals sternly.On April 22, an accused in a jewelery shop robbery case in Ramkrishna Nagar police station area of Patna was shot in the leg during an encounter. The injured accused, Dilip Kumar, was allegedly involved in robberies worth Rs 15 lakh on April 19.Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said, “A special team was formed to solve the robbery case. During scientific investigation and intelligence gathering, police arrested a man named Udit. He revealed the names of Dilip and Rohan. Both were subsequently arrested and confessed to their involvement.”Police took Dilip for spot verification when he tried to escape and fired at the team with a country-made pistol. In retaliatory firing, he was shot in the leg.In Bhagalpur on April 28, murder accused Ramdhani Yadav was shot dead in an encounter hours after the killing of Sultanganj Nagar Parishad executive officer Krishna Bhushan Prasad.Bhagalpur SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav said, “The case would not be strong without recovering weapons and other evidence. The team decided to take Ramdhani to the bypass area for a raid. As soon as the police team reached the bypass with Ramdhani, his associates Deepak Yadav and Pinku Yadav, who were lying in wait, suddenly opened fire on the police team.”He said Ramdhani tried to snatch a weapon and fire, prompting retaliatory action in which he was killed.In Siwan on April 30, Chhotu Kumar Yadav, accused in the killing of Harsh Singh, was shot in both knees.Siwan SSP Puran Kumar Jha said, “Chhotu was detained and interrogated. He admitted three more people were involved in the incident. Police were taking Chotu to recover the weapon. When the team reached Hathaura village and asked Chotu to show the weapon, he suddenly freed his hand, pulled out a weapon and started firing at police. In self-defense, police fired three rounds. Two bullets hit Chotu in both knees. He was immediately taken into custody and admitted at Sadar Hospital for treatment.“In another encounter in Siwan on May 3, Sonu Kumar Yadav, also linked to the Harsh Singh murder case, was killed in retaliatory firing during a vehicle-checking drive.
