STF detains eight Tito aides

BHUBANESWAR: The Special Task Force of the Crime Branch on Tuesday detained eight associates of gangster Syed Usman Ali, alias Tito, from different places in Cuttack, Kendrapada and Bhubaneswar.
STF sources said 21 places were raided in the three towns and the gang members were picked up from their hideouts. They are being interrogated. "If there is substantial proof of their criminal activities, then they will be arrested," said an officer, adding the eight were Tito's henchmen, who operated at his behest.
"We have activated the intelligence also. All the criminals associated with Tito would be caught to break the spine of the network of crime in Kendrapada and its periphery," deputy inspector general of police (STF), Himanshu Lal, said.
On Sunday, the investigators arrested two of Tito's sharpshooters - Sk Sayed and Babula Pati. Both were wanted in several cases of murder and extortion. While Sayed acted as second-in-command of Tito, Babula would strategize to eliminate enemies and remove threats faced by Tito. So far five persons have been arrested ever since Tito's arrest following an encounter with STF on June 30. tnn