Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police conducted a statewide “Special Drive” from May 12 to May 16, resulting in the arrest of 1,771 persons across various categories of crime, officials said on Saturday.
The drive was launched on the instructions of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and carried out across all police ranges under the supervision of District SPs and Police Commissioners. The operation was monitored by Additional DGP (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar.
The drive focused on executing non-bailable warrants (NBWs), arresting absconding accused, curbing narcotics smuggling (ganja and brown sugar), seizing vehicles involved in illegal arms and mineral transportation, and enforcing action against drunk driving.
During the five-day operation, Odisha Police arrested 1,771 persons through warrant execution. In addition, 190 absconding accused were apprehended and produced before courts. Five notorious criminals were detained under the National Security Act (NSA). As many as 449 habitual offenders were booked under Section 129 of the BNSS (earlier Section 110 CrPC), while 643 others were proceeded against under Section 126 BNSS.
In anti-narcotics action, police registered 31 NDPS cases and arrested 29 accused. A total of 3,026.702 kg of ganja and 16.6 grams of brown sugar were seized. Six vehicles, two mobile phones, and Rs 12,348 in cash were also recovered. Altogether, 716 related cases were registered.
On road safety enforcement, 966 drunk drivers were booked and their vehicles seized. A total of Rs 1.89 crore was collected as fines for traffic violations during the drive.
In action against cow smuggling, five cases were registered and one accused arrested, while 33 cattle were rescued from four vehicles.
On illegal mining, 136 cases were registered and 60 persons arrested. Additionally, 14 individuals were issued notices, and 179 vehicles, including trucks, tractors, dumpers, power tillers, and JCBs, were seized.
In illegal arms-related cases, nine cases were registered, 13 persons arrested, and 20 unlicensed firearms seized.
Range-wise performance showed the Central Range leading in warrant execution with 482 cases, followed by South (211), West (160), East (279), North-Central (196), South-West (220), and Commissionerate Police (95). The Western Range reported the highest number of habitual offenders booked under BNSS Section 129 (147 cases).
In anti-drug operations, the South-West Range recorded the highest seizure of ganja at 1,943.004 kg, followed by South Range (683.046 kg) and North Range (284.086 kg).
In traffic enforcement fines, the Western Range collected the highest amount of Rs 53.38 lakh, followed by Central (Rs 43.82 lakh), East (Rs 32.19 lakh), North (Rs 20.08 lakh), North-Central (Rs 16.90 lakh), and South-West (Rs 18.23 lakh).
In action against illegal mining, the South Range arrested 22 persons, while the Central Range registered 42 cases and arrested 25 persons. The West Range issued notices to 14 individuals.
Separately, 11 illegal weapons were seized by Southern District Police, while Northern Range recovered six pistols and 19 live rounds. The North-Central Police also seized two country-made firearms.
Odisha Police stated that such statewide enforcement drives will continue in the coming days to ensure strict action against criminals and illegal activities.
