Gangster Amarnath Singh gunned down in Jhk's Dumka, his six associates nabbed by police at Ghatsila

Gangster Amarnath Singh was shot dead by three masked gunmen near the Basukinath temple in Dumka district late last night, while six of his associates were arrested after an encounter with police in Ghatsila around the same time.

Amarnath Singh, a resident of Gaud Bustee in Mangu, was going to the Basukinath temple along with his family after performing 'Jalabhishek' for Lord Shiva at Baba Dham when he fell victim to the assailants around 11.30 pm on Thursday. The slain gangster, who rivaled Ganesh Singh, had planned to return to Jamshedpur after visiting Tarapith and was waiting for the car to leave for his next destination when the attack was launched.

As the street where the murder took place was bustling with saffron-clad devotees, it was also suspected that the shooters hid behind the same clothing before approaching Amarnaath before firing. A few close associates who accompanied the gangster on the pilgrimage are learned to have told the police that the attack must have been masterminded by Ganesh Singh, who is also a gangster operating in the steel town, especially in the Mango area.

On the other hand, about a dozen criminals were accosted by the police while the former were partying in a dhaba along NH-33 under Ghatsila thana area late at night.

When the police were alerted to the presence of criminals, they dutifully swooped across the restaurant. On seeing the police party, a few criminals managed to flee from the spot, but some others opened fire on the police. In retaliation, the police also fired, causing one of the hoodlums to sustain a bullet wound in the leg. The police subsequently managed to catch six perpetrators. The one who sustained bullet injuries was later identified as Sajan Mishra, a close associate of slain gangster Amarnath Singh.

Significantly, Sajan Mishra and several others injured a local businessman by hitting him with the stock of a pistol in the premises of Sahara City, a residential colony in Mangu three days ago.

Police interrogating those arrested in Ghatsila.