Bhubaneswar: Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Friday said that Odisha Police will not hesitate to take strict action, including encounters in self-defence, if criminals attack police personnel during the ongoing statewide crackdown on habitual offenders.
He said that the action being carried out since May 12 is aimed at strengthening law and order, and clarified that encounters are not conducted with any ulterior motive but only in situations where police personnel come under attack during operations against armed criminals.
As part of the drive, the state police have prepared a list of around 1,074 habitual criminals across Odisha. Ganjam district tops the list with 417 identified offenders, while the Commissionerate Police Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has listed 60 notorious criminals under its jurisdiction.
Officials said intensified enforcement has also been carried out under special laws, including the NDPS Act, with 97 cases registered and 107 accused arrested and sent to jail. In separate action against illegal arms trade, 31 cases have been registered, leading to the arrest of 37 persons and seizure of 39 firearms.
Police said the statewide operation will continue as part of sustained efforts to curb organised and habitual criminal activity.
