Berhampur: In a major crackdown against antisocial elements, police arrested 12 hardcore criminals and recovered a cache of illegal weapons and ammunition in Odisha’s Berhampur.
Intensifying the special drive against illegal arms in Ganjam district, police conducted raids at different areas under Berhampur Sadar, Nimakhandi, and Digapahandi police stations and arrested the 12 accused persons.
The arrested accused have been identified as Bhalu Samal (46), also known as Lagen; Lingaraj Samal (22), alias Rinku; Satyaban Das (21), alias Naka; K. Prasad Rao (29); Mantu Gouda (21); Rakesh Padhi (25), alias Rocky; Partha Das (22), alias Bajarangi; Ranjan Nayak (26); Ashok Kumar Panigrahy (30); Tuna Nayak (28); Sangham Panigrahy (27), alias Siba; and Ajit Sethi (26), alias Balia.
Police said the accused persons belong to different areas under Berhampur Sadar, Nimakhandi, and Digapahandi police stations in Ganjam district.
Police seized six pistols, 12 rounds of ammunition, two swords, an iron rod, and seven mobile phones during the raids. All the arrested persons have previous criminal records, with multiple cases registered against them in various police stations across Berhampur and Ganjam.
The operation is part of an intensified effort by Berhampur Police to curb crime and ensure public safety. Further investigations are ongoing to determine possible links to larger criminal networks.