Bhubaneswar (Special Correspondent, The Fact Bureau): Odisha has recorded the highest number of police personnel injured in attacks by criminals in the country for the fourth consecutive year, according to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The NCRB report stated that 264 police personnel in Odisha were injured in 2024 due to attacks by criminals. The figure was 232 in 2023, 202 in 2022 and 176 in 2021, showing a steady rise over the years.
The NCRB category of “all uniform police personnel injured” includes injuries caused during incidents linked to criminal attacks, mob violence, extremist activities, border firing, accidental discharge of weapons and other related situations.
Across India, 1,298 police personnel were reportedly injured in 2024 in incidents involving left-wing extremism, mob violence, criminal attacks and accidents. Odisha accounted for the highest number of such injuries, with all 264 cases attributed to attacks by criminals.
Data from previous years also showed Odisha consistently ranking either first or second in police injury cases nationwide, indicating a continuing trend.
Police officials attributed the rise in attacks to increasing resistance from criminals during raids and arrest operations. A senior officer said criminals were becoming more aggressive and anti-police behaviour was being witnessed frequently during enforcement action.
A former police personnel said the growing number of attacks reflected how emboldened offenders had become. He added that police personnel often risk their lives while performing duty, but such violent retaliation continued to rise.
Legal experts also pointed to concerns over deterrence and conviction rates. Advocate Sidharth Das said criminals no longer feared the police the way they once did, adding that restrictions on arrests in offences carrying less than seven years of punishment had also impacted policing.
The NCRB findings have also triggered concern among police associations in Odisha. Representatives of police officers’ bodies demanded better safety equipment, specialised training to deal with violent resistance and stronger legal protection for personnel facing attacks while on duty.
