Bhubaneswar: In a sweeping five-day special drive across Odisha, police arrested 1,771 people and seized more than 3,000 kg of ganja, 20 unlicensed firearms, and various other illegal items.
Speaking to the media, Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania on Sunday said that the drive will continue for another 10 days. “Warrants are being executed, absconders are being nabbed and history-sheeters booked under National Security Act (NSA). Criminals involved in unlawful activities should take lessons from recent police encounters in Berhampur and Sambalpur. Anyone attempting to disturb law and order in the state would face strict action,” he said.
The 5-Day Drive
The operation, conducted from May 12 to 16, was led by SP and police commissioners in all districts. Additional Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar supervised the initiative. It aimed at executing non-bailable warrants, apprehending wanted criminals in pending cases, curbing narcotics smuggling, impounding vehicles used for illegal weapons and mineral transport, and cracking down on drunken driving.
During the drive, police executed warrants to arrest 1,771 people. Action was also taken against five notorious criminals under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), while 449 habitual offenders were booked under Section 129 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Another 643 individuals face
d action under Section 126 of BNSS.
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Anti-Narcotics and Excise Actions
Police registered 31 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 29 accused. Seizures included over 3,000 kg of ganja, 16.6 grams of brown sugar, six vehicles, two mobile phones used in trafficking, and Rs 12,348 in cash. Additionally, 716 excise cases were registered.
Road Safety and Drunken Driving
In a major push for road safety, police took action against 966 people for driving under the influence of alcohol and seized their vehicles. Fines totalling Rs 1.89 crore were collected under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act.
Cow Smuggling and Illegal Mining
Five cases related to cow smuggling were registered, leading to one arrest. Police rescued 33 cows from four vehicles. In parallel efforts against illegal mining, 136 cases were filed, 60 people arrested, and notices issued to 14 others. A total of 179 vehicles — including trucks, tractors, trippers, power tillers, and earthmovers — used in illegal mining activities were seized.
Illegal Firearms
Police registered nine cases of illegal firearm trafficking, arrested 13 individuals, and seized 20 unlicensed guns.
DGP Khurania had earlier directed officers to intensify actions against habitual criminals, drug trafficking, and to strengthen patrolling, amid a surge in violent crimes in the state including mob lynching of GRP constable at Balianta on May 7, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.