Cops shoot, injure rowdies

BANGALORE: In a chilling early morning encounter, Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths shot and injured two men who attacked them with lethal weapons, near Nelagedaranahalli in Peenya police limits. The men are said to be associates of rowdies Hebbattu Manja and Cycle Ravi.
Srinivas, a constable, sustained injuries when the duo attacked the sleuths hot on their trail.
The accused, Vinay alias Kurup Vinay, and Murthy alias Dhaba Murthy, were traced by CCB police when they were riding near Nelagedaranahalli.
Joint commissioner of police (crime) Alok Kumar told TOI that Vinay and Murthy were chased by Dharwad police three days ago. "Dharwad police got a tip-off that Vinay and Murthy were plotting a robbery on the Bangalore-Pune highway. They made a futile attempt to catch them as they fled the scene," he added. They alerted their counterparts in other parts of the state.
ACP, CCB (organized crime) SY Hadimani said they tried to block the two riders, but in vain. "Despite warnings, the duo sped away. When we blocked them again, they attacked with lethal weapons, injuring Srinivas," he said.
Police fired at them, injuring Murthy in his knees, while a bullet pierced Vinay's thigh.