Bhubaneswar: In response to growing concerns over mob violence and law-and-order challenges, the Commissionerate Police on Thursday announced deployment of dedicated specialised forces across for faster and more effective responses to emergencies in twin cities of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
According to official sources, two units — the Special Tactical Unit (STU) and the newly-constituted Special Task Group (STG) — have been formed for this purpose. These teams will operate independently, often integrated with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles, enabling them to reach incident sites faster.
Personnel in the STU and STG have received specialised training in crowd control, handling volatile situations, and other high-risk operations. While the primary focus is on curbing mob violence, the units will also support counter-terrorism efforts, provide security during VVIP movements, and conduct surveillance to prevent untoward incidents.
The STU, part of the Odisha Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG) framework, are trained for urban warfare, hostage situations, and high-risk tactical interventions, similar to SWAT teams.
The initiative follows the shocking mob lynching of Government Railway Police (GRP) constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7. The 32-year-old constable was allegedly beaten to death by a mob after accusations of attempted sexual assault on two women. The incident, which reportedly occurred in the presence of police, and went viral, sparked widespread outrage and questions about rapid response mechanisms.
Officials hope the move will significantly bolster the police’s rapid intervention capabilities, deter vigilante actions, and improve overall public safety in sensitive areas.
