UP govt to conduct DNA profiling of dacoit Thokia's body

Lucknow, Aug 4 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government has decided to conduct DNA profile on the body of slain dreaded dacoit Ambika Patel alias Thokia, who was killed in an armed encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) in Chitrakoot district today.

Thokia's gang which meant 'terror' in several districts on Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border, had a reward of Rs five lakh on his head in UP and Rs one lakh in MP.

UP Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur Singh and Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh told police DNA profiling was necessary to confirm the identity of Thokia. ''Though the chowkidar of Nokharia had already identified him as Thokia,'' they said.

One AK series Russian made rifle, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun and live cartridges had been recovered near his body, Mr Fateh Bahadur and Mr Singh said.

The police party was searching for his sub-leader of the gang Gyan Singh and about twenty other members of the gang.

UNI MB/SB AE GC1622