Rautahat, November 24:

A gang of armed dacoits looted cash and goods worth Rs 1.20 million from 40 houses in Jamuniya Tole of Athiyahi VDC yesterday night. Ten villagers were also injured when the dacoits fired at the villagers who tried to put up resistance.

According to locals, a gang of around 60 to 70 armed dacoits surrounded the village and started robbing house-owners.

Locals Kamal Shah, Palat Shah, Ram Ekbal Das, Rup Lal Chaudhari, Ram Prasad Shah and Bhagirath Shah were among those injured when the dacoits fired indiscriminately at them, the Rautahat district police office said.

Kamal Shah and Palat Shah, who are critically injured, are undergoing treatment in Gaur Hospital.

The dacoits looted property from the houses of Beni Shah, Amin Shah, Ramananda Mahato, Ram Prasad Shah, Ram Ekbal Shah, Bhola Mahato, Jatahu Das, Rajendra Prabesh and other locals, police said. SP Ram Kumar Khanal said a manhunt has been launched for the dacoits.