Chhatrapur: Ganjam Police have arrested 38 notorious criminals and seized 25 firearms along with a large quantity of ammunition in the last 10 days. This action is part of a special operation launched under the leadership of Ganjam SP Subhendu Kumar Patra to suppress criminal activities and make the district firearm-free.
In the first phase of the operation on May 4, 18 criminals were arrested from various police station areas. Police also seized 17 firearms and 66 rounds of ammunition. In a second phase carried out today, another 20 criminals were arrested and 8 firearms, 31 rounds of ammunition, and 12 magazines were seized.
Southern Range IG Niti Sekhar, who addressed a press conference at the Ganjam Police headquarters here on Tuesday, said that the arrested individuals are involved in multiple criminal cases. He added that the firearms and ammunition seized resemble those manufactured in Munger, Bihar, a region known for illegal arms production.
Among those arrested today, eight were taken into custody by Kotanada Police. They include Pintu Behera from Bhetnai village, Ramachandra Gouda from Jugudi village under Golanthara police station, Pintu alias Panda Gouda from Lathi village under Brahmapur Sadar police station, Raju Jena from Chhachina village under Kodala police station and Surat police station, Santosh Kumar Behera from Khandadeuli village under Rambha police station, Ganesh Nahak from Sodak village under Polasara police station, Rajesh Maharana from Aparabasta under Chhatrapur police station, and Pappu alias Pratap Kumar Jena from Pattnaik Colony. Four firearms and eight magazines were seized from them.
Aska Police arrested three criminals: Kalia alias Ghanashyam Behera from Puruna Jagannath Mandir Sahi under Purushottampur police station, Deepak Prusty from Kodala under Kodala police station, and Ajit Palei from Athagadapatna village under Kabisuryanagar police station. One firearm and two magazines were recovered from them.
Hinjili Police arrested five criminals: Chintu Das from Kenal Sahi, Hina Samal from Nuasahi in Sikiri village, Raja Gouda from Palasi Sahi under Belgaon police station, Rakesh Mahapatra from Nimina village under Gangapur police station, and Gobind Behera from Dhaugaon under Dharakote police station. Two firearms and two magazines were seized from their possession.
Polasara Police arrested two criminals: Malinga alias Krishnachandra Behera from Nigamnagar Sahi and Raja Sethi from Dhoba Sahi. One firearm was seized from them.
According to IG Niti Sekhar, some of the arrested criminals were planning serious crimes. Eight criminals from the Kotanada area were preparing for a major criminal activity. Five from Aska and five from Hinjili were planning robberies. Two criminals from Polasara included a most-wanted individual and another who was in possession of a firearm.
Investigations are ongoing to find possible links with criminals from other states. Further details will be shared as the probe progresses. The special operation will continue, and more criminals are under the radar of the police.
The press conference was attended by Additional SP Ranjit Kumar Prusty, Aska SDPO Santosh Kumar Jena, and the IICs of Aska, Polasara, Kotanada, and Hinjili police stations.
