State raises OSAF to deal with crisis situation

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday launched Odisha Swift Action Force (OSAF), a special wing of police.
Three companies have been formed in the first phase, ready to be deployed at Lord Jagannth’s Rath Jatra on June 25. The 300 personnel would manage the crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the festival.
“The special wing has been raised to deal with serious law and order situation. Earlier, we had to depend on the Centre for deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to meet the challenge. The forces would be stationed in Cuttack, Rourkela and Baripada during important festivals, including Dusshera. They would also be mobilized during riot-like situations. The personnel have been provided special combat weapons and separate uniforms,” Naveen said.
They have been imparted training under RAF, he added.
The state so far has two other specialised wings of Odisha police. They are the Special Operation Group (SOG) and the Special Tactical Unit (STU).