PATNA, Aug. 22 -- Around 1716 criminals and 38 Maoists were arrested in last eight months since January in Bihar and three outlaws were killed in 19 encounters in operations carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, officers said in a press conference on Friday. The STF, has also prepared a list of more than 350 contract killers across the state and is also keep tab on them.In the last eight months, the STF has also arrested 94 criminal before they could commit any crime, said DIG, STF Sanjay Kumar Singh. "The Bihar STF has carried out 19 encounters with criminals and Naxalites in the state so far this year, killing three criminals and injuring 18 others," the DIG said. However, the alleged killing of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari at Bilauti village under Shahpur police station on June 17 in Bhojpur district has not included in the figure as an inquiry into the matter is underway, added the DIG. The DIG informed that since January this year, 1716 criminals and 38 Maoists have been arrested so far. Out of 1716, twenty seven of them were arrested from outside the state. The STF officials said that in order to prevent organised crime, arrests are being carried out against organised gangs on the basis of a database prepared in connection to active gangs and their members at the level of district-wise special task force officials. Action is also being taken by identifying the land mafias and a proposal is being sent to the ED (Enforcement Directorate) to identify the illegal property acquired from their level and take action under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act). The DIG said that over 33 mini gun factories have been unearthed so far till August 20. The STF recovered 18 weapons, including two AK-47s, an AK-56, two INSAS rifles, a carbine, five semi-automatic pistols and a Glock pistol, besides 398 country-made weapons, 178 incomplete country-made weapons and 3,195 live cartridges. Investigations are also being conducted at the NIA level to dismantle its network. The DIG said continuous action is also being taken against bank, jewellery and gold robbery gangs active in state or outside the state. In operations against bank, jewellery and gold-loan robbery gangs, 113 accused were arrested, and 10kg of looted gold, 50 kg of silver and over Rs.1.60 crore in cash were recovered from the gang members involved in the robbery of jewellery shop in Mysore (Karnataka), Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Bank of Maharashtra branch robbery in the Barbila police station in Koinjhar district of Orissa. The STF said that 19 cases related to cyber crime were also resolved. Apart from this, 10 abducted persons have been recovered from Patna, Nalanda, Jamui, Munger, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Samastipur and Kishanganj....