‘Be Ready for Encounters’: Odisha DGP’s Stern Message to Criminals

Bhubaneswar (Special Correspondent, The Fact Bureau): Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania on Sunday issued a stern warning to criminals, saying those attempting to disturb law and order could face police encounters.

Speaking to mediapersons, the DGP said four notorious criminals had already been arrested following encounters in Jharsuguda, Berhampur and Sambalpur over the last five days. He warned that criminals involved in unlawful activities should learn from the ongoing crackdown or be prepared to face strict police action.

The warning comes in the backdrop of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s recent directive asking the police to instil fear among criminals following the mob lynching of a railway constable on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar earlier this month.

After reviewing the law-and-order situation in the state, the Chief Minister had instructed police to intensify intelligence-based operations, carry out crime mapping and take exemplary action against those involved in organised crime.

According to the DGP, the statewide anti-crime drive launched on May 12 has already shown significant results. Police have issued non-bailable warrants against 1,771 offenders and arrested 190 absconders linked to different criminal cases.

Police have also booked five criminals under the National Security Act (NSA). In addition, 29 persons were arrested in connection with drug smuggling while 60 others were held for illegal mining and transportation activities.

The crackdown also led to the seizure of 20 illegal firearms, and 13 people were arrested for possessing such weapons.

Khurania said the anti-crime operations would continue aggressively across the state.

“All SPs and DCPs have been directed to personally lead the crackdowns. Senior officers have been asked to intensify patrolling and enhance police visibility so that public trust is restored,” the DGP said.

He further stated that police stations across Odisha have been instructed to closely monitor habitual offenders and persons currently out on bail.

On the other hand, 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.