Wanted criminal, constable injured in Etawah encounter

Kanpur: A wanted criminal was injured in a police encounter near Mahipalpur in Etawah district late on Tuesday night. A constable also sustained bullet injury on his hand during the exchange of fire.The exchange of fire occurred near Lakhna Jhaal around 11pm. Station Officer Vipin Kumar Malik said they had received information that a criminal was hiding in the area with the intention of committing a crime. Acting on the tip-off, SO Malik, Waraukh outpost in-charge Daya Shankar Verma, Mahewa outpost in-charge KP Singh, constables Umesh Katara and Akhilesh Kumar, along with other police personnel, cordoned off the area.As the team reached near the Canal Jhaal bridge, the accused opened fire at the police vehicle. The police retaliated, and in the exchange, constable Umesh Katara sustained a minor bullet injury on his hand, while the suspect was hit in the leg. A new, unnumbered motorcycle and a .315 bore pistol with live and empty cartridges were recovered from the scene.During interrogation, the accused identified himself as Dheeru Yadav, a resident of Lachhiyamau under Dibiyapur police station in Auraiya district. Police said he was wanted in four cases registered at Bakewar police station. The accused was later taken to Mahewa CHC for initial treatment and later referred to the district hospital. Constable Katara was discharged after receiving medical care.SP Rural Shrishchandra and CO Bharthana Atul Pradhan visited the encounter site. SP Rural said Dheeru is a history-sheeter, with around 30 cases registered against him in Etawah and Auraiya districts.