Rourkela, June 20: In a major crackdown on crime, Rourkela Police on Saturday conducted a double encounter in Jhiripani's Nua Tola area, injuring two notorious criminals, identified as Chunu Haripal and Sushant Nayak.

The injured accused were immediately shifted to the Rourkela Government Hospital for treatment. Police sources said the duo was wanted in connection with a murder case reported on June 16 in Rameshwar Basti near Saraswati Shishu Mandir under Sector-7 police limits.

Following the murder, the accused had allegedly fled the scene, triggering widespread public outrage. Residents had staged a protest outside the police station, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the crime.

Preliminary investigation revealed that nearly 30 persons were involved in the group attack that led to the murder. As part of the ongoing operation against the accused, police tracked down and encountered two of the key suspects. Further investigation is underway, and efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused involved in the case.