Bhubaneswar: Odisha Director General of Police Y B Khurania on Sunday issued a stern warning to criminals, cautioning that they could face encounters if they disrupt law and order. Speaking to media persons, Khurania said, “In the last five days, four notorious criminals have been arrested following encounters in Jharsuguda, Berhampur, and Sambalpur. Other criminals should take a lesson from these crackdowns. If they do not mend their ways, they should be prepared to face encounters.”
Chief Minister’s directive
The DGP’s statement comes in the wake of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directing the state police to instill fear among criminals. Following the mob lynching of a railway constable on the city’s outskirts on May 7, Majhi reviewed the law-and-order situation in the state and directed the police to instill fear among criminals, undertake crime mapping, conduct intelligence-based operations, and ensure exemplary action against those involved in organized crime.
Crackdown results
On Sunday, the DGP said that a statewide special crackdown against criminals, launched on May 12, has already yielded significant results. According to the top cop, non-bailable warrants have been issued against 1,771 offenders, while 190 absconders linked to various cases have been arrested. Five criminals have been booked under the stringent National Security Act. In addition, 29 people were arrested on charges of drug smuggling and 60 in connection with illegal mining and transportation. Police also seized 20 illegal firearms and arrested 13 miscreants for possession of such weapons.
Relentless drive
Khurania emphasized that the drive will continue relentlessly. “There is no place for criminals in Odisha. All SPs and DCPs have been strictly directed to personally lead the crackdowns. Senior officers have been asked to intensify patrolling and enhance police visibility so that public trust is restored,” he said. He added that all police stations have been instructed to keep close tabs on habitual offenders and those released on bail.
