9 hurt as dacoits continue their spree

PUNE, June 23: Nine residents, including three women, were seriously injured in an attack by 10 dacoits, armed with a 12 bore gun, swords, i...

PUNE, June 23: Nine residents, including three women, were seriously injured in an attack by 10 dacoits, armed with a 12 bore gun, swords, iron rods and sticks, at Shikrapur early today.

While four critically injured victims have been admitted to the Sassoon hospital in Pune, others are undergoing treatment at the government hospital at Talegaon Dhamdhere.

Among the injured include Babanrao Bhausaheb Gadde, Balasaheb Sarjerao Nikam, Mangesh Pandurang Sute, Pramila Nandu Birdavade, Vitthal Makaji Chavan, his wife Manjula, son Ramesh, cousin Shankar Thaku Chavan and his wife Ranjana.

The dacoits forced entry into the adjoining residences of Subhash Dhumal and Vitthal Chavan, located in a densely populated area in the heart of the town, around 12.30 am, police said. While the bid to rob the Dhumals8217; was foiled, the culprits relieved Manjula Chavan of her gold chain.

They broke open the door on the main entrance of Dhumal8217;s house with boulders. Showing presence of mind, the Dhumals8217; locked themselves up in a room.

After failing in breaking open the door of the room in which the Dhumals8217; had locked themselves, the dacoits forced entry into Vitthal Chavan8217;s house. They thrashed the Chavans8217; with swords, iron rods and sticks.

Gadade, Sute and Nikam, who rushed to the spot after hearing the cries for help by the victims, almost succeeded in apprehending some of the miscreants.

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However, the dacoits managed to set themselves free and thrashed Gadade, Sute and Nikam. A bullet, fired by a dacoit to prevent the trio from chasing them, pierced in Gadade8217;s chest.

While some residents of the town rushed the injured victims to the government hospital in Talegaon Dhamdhere, Subhadh Dhumal approached the Shikrapur police and lodged a complaint. Later, the police shifted seriously injured Pramila Birdavade, Babanrao Gadade, Mangesh Sute and Balasaheb Nikam to the Sassoon hospital.

The Shikrapur police have launched a massive manhunt to track down the culprits. Superintendent of Police Ashok Dhivre and Deputy Superintendent of Police Namdeo Chavan are camping at Shikrapur to supervise the investigations.