Bhubaneswar: In yet another non-fatal encounter across Odisha, a 23-year-old history-sheeter, allegedly involved in 23 robbery cases, sustained a bullet injury to his right leg after Puri police opened fire in retaliation late on Saturday night. The accused, identified as Chandan, alias Bishnu Prasad Jena, was first taken to Puri district headquarters hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for further treatment.
Police Action and Accused's Condition
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh confirmed that Chandan's condition is stable and that he will be formally arrested once he recovers. Describing him as a notorious criminal, SP Singh stated that the accused was involved in 23 robbery cases, including 22 in Bhubaneswar. He added that the police personnel resorted to controlled retaliatory firing after the accused opened fire at them first.
Details of the Incident
According to SP Singh, Baselisahi police received credible intelligence that a group of men with criminal records were present near Shree Setu Road, allegedly planning a robbery. During a raid, suspicious individuals were spotted near Omkareshwar temple. On seeing the police team, they attempted to flee. In the process, Chandan's motorcycle skidded, causing him to fall. After falling, the accused allegedly opened fire at the police, prompting a controlled retaliatory response.
Broader Context and Crackdown
Police sources indicated that the action is intended to instill fear among criminals ahead of the prestigious BRICS technical meeting of the disaster risk reduction working group, scheduled to be held in Puri from June 3 to 5. The operation is also viewed as part of a broader crackdown on notorious offenders in the run-up to the Rath Yatra on July 16. This incident marks the 10th non-fatal encounter in Odisha in May and the 13th this year, amid heightened public outrage over recent incidents such as the Balianta lynching and Berhampur street violence.
