Berhampur: Police, accompanied by forest personnel, arrested a 49-year-old man history-sheeter from his farmhouse at Siarimal under Gangapur police station limits in Ganjam district on Thursday.The accused, identified as Lambu alias Narayan Tarini, is allegedly involved in around 50 criminal cases, including those of murder, dacoity and extortion. During the raid, police seized three firearms — a 9 mm pistol and two country-made single-barrel muzzle-loading guns — along with live ammunition, sharp weapons and a car from the farmhouse.“Forest officials, who accompanied the police team, also unearthed an illegal sawmill operating on the premises and seized a large quantity of timber of different species. The value of the seized sawmill and timber has been estimated at around Rs 7 lakh,” said divisional forest officer (DFO), Ghumusar North, Himansu Sekhar Mohanty.Around 100 personnel of police and forest officials carried out the joint raid following a tip-off about the illegal sawmill.“Another man, Budhia Patra (30) of Kumpapada in Jagannath Prasad area, who was with the accused at the time, was also arrested from the spot,” said Bhanjnagar sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Deepa Kumar Mishra, who led the operation. The arrests were made while the two were sleeping inside the house.Police said the 9 mm pistol was recovered from beneath Tarini’s pillow, while the other two firearms were found near the bed of his associate, according to Gangapur police station inspector-in-charge Bana Bihari Pradhan.Describing Tarini as a “veteran anti-social element”, police said he has been involved in around 50 cases across Ganjam district. He lost his right leg in an encounter with police on April 30, 2017, at Lathipada-Bhaliapalli road under Sorada police station limits.Police added that after being released on bail, Tarini allegedly resumed criminal activities, including extortion from contractors, builders and businessmen, by running a gang in the area. Fear factor ensured no recent complaints were lodged against him, police added.
