PATNA, Feb. 12 -- A notorious criminal involved in about a dozen cases, carrying a reward of Rs.25,000 on his head was arrested during an encounter with police here on Wednesday. Police said he received a bullet injury in the leg during the encounter and was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment where his condition was said to be out of danger. Police recovered a countrymade pistol, one live cartridge and one spent bullet shell from the spot. This is the tenth encounter since the formation of the new government in the state. The latest alleged encounter became a matter of discussion in political circles with the opposition saying the government was taking an ostentatious stance instead of improving law and order, while the ruling party calling it a strict campaign against crime. The operation was jointly carried out by Patna Police and STF in Alamganj police station area. The injured criminal was identified as Rajiv Kumar alias Surya Don, a resident of Diwan Mohalla under Khajekalan police station. City SP (East) Parichay Kumar told reporters he had more than nine criminal cases registered against him with separate police stations including serious offences. "Police received specific information on Wednesday morning that a notorious criminal was heading towards Gaighat area to extort money from boatmen. Acting on the tipoff, Patna police with STF assistance laid a siege near the Gaighat bridge. As soon as the police team tried to arrest him, the accused opened fire. The police retaliated in self defence, during which he was shot in the leg," said City SP, adding that Rajiv Kumar fell on the ground and was subsequently apprehended. Police were making efforts to identify and arrest the members of his gang. Bhai Virendra, an RJD MLA from Maner, alleged encounters were being done by targeting a particular caste. He said these (ruling parties) saved culprits of a particular caste. MLA Ajay Kumar of CPI supported him and told reporters that the government should see everyone as equal, but action was taken here only on the basis of caste. He cited the example of how the rule was changed for Anand Mohan for votes, while Pappu Yadav was harassed. Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas said, "It is clear that the government's action is being done by identifying castes. "A particular caste is being targeted and a particular caste is also being protected."...