Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on illegal firearms and organised crime, Ganjam police conducted an overnight special drive across several police stations, resulting in the arrest of 18 persons and the seizure of 17 illegal firearms and 66 rounds of live ammunition.
The intensive operation, conducted under the leadership of the Superintendent of Police, Ganjam, was part of a broader preventive policing initiative aimed at curbing the rise of organised crime in the region.
The arrested persons have been linked to various villages and were apprehended under the following police stations:
- Sheragada Police:
Prasanta Kumar Pradhan alias Rintu (25), Kuna Nahak alias Mania (26), Pinku Sahu (26), Ajit Gouda, Suraj Supriya Nayak alias Silu (19), and Sisira Kumar Panda (55). - Aska Police:
Srikanta (23), Sankar Gouda, Pabana alias Siba Gouda, and Siba Prasad Jena (44). - Kotinada Police:
Komal Lochan Gouda (26), Dharmaraj Jena (25), Subham Bhuyan (20), Jagannath Pradhan (23), and Pabitra Pradhan (29). - Polasara Police:
Rakesh Dash (24). - Chamakhandi Police:
Balakrushna Satpathy alias Pintu (32). - Bhanjanagar Police:
Kanhu Gouda (32).
According to an official press release, the operation was part of a preventive policing initiative spearheaded by the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Ganjam. The arrested persons are suspected to be members of an organised crime syndicate.
“Under the new provisions in criminal law, ‘Organised Crime’ has recently been included. Therefore, we are booking the accused under Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Organised Crime), the Arms Act, and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused are believed to have sourced the weapons from other states. Special teams will be formed to dismantle the supply network,” the press release stated.
During the raids, police recovered a significant cache of illegal weapons and other materials:
- Sheragada: 5 country-made pistols, 22 live rounds, 4 mobile phones.
- Chamakhandi: 1 pistol, 1 revolver, 9 live rounds.
- Polasara: 1 7mm pistol, 6 live rounds, 1 single-shot country-made pistol, 1 motorcycle, 1 mobile phone.
- Kotinada: 4 country-made pistols, 16 live rounds, 4 empty cartridges.
- Aska: 3 pistols, 12 live rounds, 4 mobile phones.
- Bhanjanagar: 1 country-made 7.62 mm gun, 1 magazine, 1 live round of 7.62 mm ammunition.
Police have also initiated proceedings to seize properties allegedly acquired through unlawful means.
The crackdown marks a decisive move by Ganjam police in its commitment to combat the growing menace of illegal arms and organised crime in the district.
