Bandit chieftain Jagjivan Parihar dead

Morena, MP, Mar 15 (UNI) Dacoit chieftain Jagjivan Parihar, who carried a reward of Rs 5.5 lakh on his head, has been killed in an encounter in this district's Garhi Budhara village along with six other members of his gang, the police said.

During last night's police action, Town Inspector Veerendra Singh Bhadauria was also killed and four personnel injured but stated to be out of danger. They were undergoing treatment at Gwalior. The Uttar Pradesh Police had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh on Parihar while the Madhya Pradesh Police figure was Rs 50,000.

''Following a tip-off, the bandits were surrounded yesterday afternoon at gang member Bhanwar Singh's house within Porsa Police Station limits,'' said Inspector-General (Chambal Range) Vijay Yadav.

A crossfire ensued, hand grenades and tear gas shells were also used. The police torched the house, which was demolished this morning. The bodies of Parihar, his brother Param Singh, Ramlakhan, Lala Bhadauria, Kalla and two other dacoits were brought out of the rubble. The corpses were sent to the district hospital here for post mortem. An AK-47 rifle, semiautomatic and .315 bore guns were seized from the site.

Parihar, who had a reign of terror extending into neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, stood accused in about 100 cases. A total reward of Rs 9.5 lakh had been announced on the gang.

UNI