Bhubaneswar: The core motto of the Odisha Police is “Service and Security.” Providing appropriate police services to the weaker sections of society, the neglected, the oppressed, women, and children is the primary duty of all personnel. Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania emphasized that all police officers and staff must play a pivotal role in ensuring proper protection and justice for these groups. He expressed this view while attending the 90th Police Foundation Day celebrations as the chief guest, held with great pomp and splendor.
The 90th Foundation Day of Odisha Police was observed in a grand manner today morning at the Reserve Police Ground, Buxi Bazaar, Cuttack. DGP Khurania received the ceremonial salute during the parade, felicitated police officers and staff for their remarkable achievements in service, and paid floral tributes to martyred police personnel. He also extended his respects and condolences to the families of the fallen heroes.
Established on April 1, 1936, alongside the formation of the new Odisha province, the Odisha Police has completed 90 years of its journey. Despite facing numerous challenges over this period, the force has successfully tackled every obstacle and consistently provided uninterrupted service to the public, DGP Khurania noted.
Thanks to the police’s meticulous arrangements, significant events such as the All India Police DGs/IGs Conference, Indian Navy Day at Puri Beach, the “18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas,” and “Utkarsh Odisha – 2025” were conducted peacefully and efficiently. The DGP commended all police personnel for their efforts in ensuring these successes.
Looking ahead, the Odisha Police will host the All India Police Hockey Championship at Kalinga Stadium from April 7 to 15. The DGP urged all personnel to ensure its disciplined organization and smooth management.
During the event, DGP Khurania praised the collective success of Odisha Police in combating Maoist activities, highlighting their high level of efficiency in this domain. He also outlined the force’s stringent measures against narcotic smuggling. By March 31, 2025, the police registered 280 cases, seized over 1,06,500 kilograms of ganja, and arrested 335 persons. Additionally, special campaigns in remote areas have destroyed over 30,000 acres of ganja cultivation this year—a record achievement.
Similarly, action against sand mafia across the state resulted in over 1,400 cases being filed, with more than 1,700 sand-laden trucks, tractors, tippers, and hyvas confiscated, and 756 individuals arrested, the DGP stated.
To control and address crime in the state, the government is taking various steps. To make police stations more proactive and people-friendly, all stations are being equipped with additional resources, including high-speed Scorpio vehicles, Bullet motorcycles for investigating officers, scooters for female investigators, and modern tools such as laptops and smartphones, the DGP announced in his address.
Recruitment processes for Sub-Inspector (SI), Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), and Constable positions are ongoing, with plans to accelerate them in the coming days, he added. Despite emerging challenges like cybercrime and economic offenses, Odisha Police has successfully tackled these issues, the DGP affirmed.
On the occasion of Police Foundation Day, congratulatory messages from the Governor and Chief Minister were read out by Additional DGP (Headquarters) Dayal Gangwar.
DGP Khurania felicitated the Inspector of Patpur Police Station in Ganjam district, which was awarded the second-best police station in the country, presenting a certificate signed by the Union Home Minister and Union Home Secretary. For excellence in investigation, Additional SP Prabhat Kumar Biswal, SDPO Prashant Kumar Sahu, Inspector Durgesh Nandini Mohanty, and DSP Manas Ranjan Pradhan were awarded the Union Home Minister’s Medal.
Subsequently, the chief guest presented financial awards to police officers for outstanding service. Among those felicitated were Inspector Rashmiranjan Mohapatra (Best Inspector), Inspector Reena Behera (Best Inspector, Crime Branch), Inspector Arun Kumar Behera (Best Inspector, Special Branch SIW), Sub-Inspector Debdatta Samantaray (Best SI), SI (Armed) Debajyoti Patalsingh (Best SOG Team Leader), ASI Lalu Hansda (Best ASI), Havildar Krishnachandra Nayak (Best Havildar), Constable Deepak Kumar Tripathy (Best OR Constable), Constable Bhakta Batsal Behera (Best APR Constable), Traffic Constable Lilabati Munda (Best Traffic Constable), Inspector (Armed) S.K. Rahim Tulla (Best Armed Inspector), SI (Armed) Amiya Kumar Nayak (Best Armed SI), ASI (Armed) Tej Bahadur Gurung (Best Armed ASI), Havildar (Armed) Shyam Bahadur Rana (Best Armed Havildar), and Sepoy Aniruddha Jena (Best Sepoy).
Additionally, the late Bhramarabar Sahu and late Rajendra Mohan Pattnaik Memorial Bravery Awards were conferred. Constables Kahnu Charan Behera, Shushil Kahar, Sub-Inspector Sambit Kumar Swain, and Mathyu Pradhan received the Bhramarabar Sahu Memorial Bravery Award, while Constable Bibatsa Pradhan and Commando Sunil Behera were awarded the Rajendra Mohan Pattnaik Memorial Bravery Award.
The OSAP 6th Battalion, Cuttack, was recognized as the Best Battalion. The Best Family Welfare Centers awarded were the 2nd Special Armed Battalion Family Welfare Center, Jharsuguda (1st), OSAP 6th Battalion, Cuttack (2nd), and Tulasipur Family Welfare Center, Cuttack (3rd). In the ceremonial parade, the SOG Chandaka team secured first place, while the O.S.A.P team ranked second and received awards from DGP Khurania.
Ten contingents, including SOG, OSAP, IRB, UPD Cuttack (APR Women and Men)/ Traffic Constable, ODRAF, OISF, O.S.A.F, and Fire Service, participated in the parade, conducted under the direct supervision of Parade Commander Anugu Shiva Maruthi Reddy, IPS (Under Training). The entire program was managed under the oversight of Additional DGP (Headquarters) Dayal Gangwar.
Later, at the RK Padhi Memorial Hall in Cuttack, 58 police officers and personnel were awarded the DGP’s Medal. Recipients included DIG (Personnel) Jugal Kishor Banoth, AIGP (Vigilance) Maheshwar Sethi, SP (Crime Branch) Krishna Prasad Pattnaik, Additional SP (SW) Shisir Kumar Mishra, Additional SP (Vigilance) Arun Kumar Nayak, Additional DCP (SSB) Banambar Sethi, 19 SOG members, 7 Special Branch personnel, and others from various departments. The event saw participation from senior police officers, retired personnel, police staff, and media representatives.
