Itahari, August 27:

A dacoit was killed, two were injured and 16 others were arrested when they clashed with the police in Ramgunj Belgachhia VDC in Sunsari last night.

The dacoits were heading for Ramgunj Balgachhia-4 on a tractor when they ran into a police patrol and an encounter ensued.

While, Anil Rishidev of Chhitaha-9 died on the spot after being hit by a police bullet, Sikim Sah and Ghanshyam Sah of Belgachhia-4 were seriously injured. They are undergoing treatment in the Nobel Academy College Teaching Hospital in Biratnagar, deputy superintendent of police Yadav Raj Khanal said. Sixteen members of the gang of dacoits — Pandey Sah, Anand Prasad Sah, Sravan Kumar Kamat, Hiralal Bhandari, Hareram Kamat, Srilal Sutihar, Jay Narayan Bhandari, Jaman Paswan, Gangai Kamat, Bhim Kamat, Dinesh Kamat, Kari Kamat, Nadhunandan Bhandari, Ramrup Kamat, Mahendra Kamat and Parshuram Yadav — were arrested by the police.

Two Chinese pistols and 20 rounds of .303 rifle ammunition were seized from them.

Over 100 police personnel from the Chimdi, Duhabi area police office and the Inaruwa-based district police office reached the spot after a tip-off from locals. Surrounded on all sides, the dacoits opened fire at the police but got the worst of it.