Bhubaneswar: The core motto of Odisha Police is ‘Service and Security’. It’s not just a phrase, it’s our identity,” said DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on the 91st Odisha Police Formation Day, stressing Odisha Police’s commitment to transforming the state into a safe, peaceful, and drug-free region.
Khurania attended the 91st Odisha Police Formation Day ceremony at Reserve Police Parade Ground at Buxi Bazaar in Cuttack, and inspected the parade. He also honoured police personnel for their outstanding service. Khurania paid tribute to martyred police personnel and expressed condolences to their families.
Odisha Police was established on April 1, 1936, with the formation of the new Odisha province. DGP said the past 91 years have been a glorious chapter of struggle, dedication, and success. He highlighted Odisha Police’s success in countering Maoism, stating many hardcore Maoists were neutralized and many returned to mainstream life. Since 2025, 27 hardcore Maoists were neutralized and 72 joined the mainstream. The government’s ‘Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy’ played a key role, he added.
DGP highlighted cybercrime as a major challenge, saying Odisha Police is tackling it effectively with AI and data analytics. Through ‘Operation Cyber Kabch’, 39,714 suspicious bank accounts were scrutinized, leading to 1,422 new cases and 379 arrests.
Odisha Police has achieved significant success in making Odisha drug-free, seizing Rs 3,000 crore worth of contraband and destroying 48,160 acres of illicit cultivation. As many as 654 interstate drug traffickers were arrested and Rs 10 crore worth of assets seized from drug mafia. DGP Khurania said police are committed to making Odisha completely drug-free in the next three years.
The state government is strengthening the police force by creating new posts, expediting recruitment, and forming new battalions and units. DGP highlighted changes in investigation processes and professional efficiency post-BNS implementation, saying high-level probes by officers are leading to quicker convictions.
DGP highlighted Odisha Police’s improved investigation process post-BNS, citing examples where convictions were achieved in 19 days in Morada (Mayurbhanj), 37 days in Chandaka (Bhubaneswar), 39 days in Jamda, and 40 days in Ali. This swift justice showcases Odisha Police’s leadership in delivering timely justice to victims.
DGP praised Odisha Police’s sports achievements, saying athletes brought glory to the state at national levels. Recently, they secured second place in the All India Police Shooting Competition. Athletes won several medals in national championships, including gold in rowing. Besides, 11 new ‘meet records’ were set in the State Police Athletic Championship marking a milestone in Odisha Police’s sports excellence.
Additional DGP (HQ) Prateek Mohanty read out messages from the Governor and Chief Minister on the occasion.
The chief guest presented financial awards to outstanding police officers. The recipients included Best Inspector Bijay Kishore Das, Best Inspector (Crime Branch) Rupashree Praharaj, Best Inspector (Special Branch) Sridhar Majhi, Best SI Manas Ranjan Panda, Best ASI Bijay Kumar Sunashagada, Best Havildar Ramakanta Sethi, Best OR Constable Gauri Shankar Sahu, Best APR Constable Sudama Chandra Baliarsingh, and Best Traffic Constable Rashmita Padhana. Other awardees were Best Inspector (Armed) Ashok Kumar Behera, Best SI (Armed) S. Satyanarayana Rao, Best Havildar Major (Band) Harihar Behera, Best Havildar (Armed) Sandeswar Bhoina, and Best Constable Sunil Kumar Murmu.
The Bhramarbar Sahu Memorial Bravery Award was presented to Constable Ashok Kumar Deo, SI Ashok Kumar Behera, Inspector (Armed) Amaresh Chandra Narendra, and Assistant Commandant Asish Kumar Sarkar. The Rajendra Mohan Patnaik Memorial Bravery Award was given to OAPF constable Anil Bhoi. Additionally, Adyasha Pradhan, a medical student, received the Prema Amarnath Memorial Scholarship Award.
OSAP 6th Battalion, Cuttack was awarded Best Battalion. Best Family Welfare Centres were 2nd SSB, Jharuguda (1st); Tulsipur FWC, Cuttack (2nd); and FWC, Sundargarh (3rd).In the parade, IR Battalion secured 1st place, and OISF team secured 2nd place, receiving awards from DGP Khurania.
11 contingents participated in the parade, including SOG, OSAP, IRB, UPD Cuttack (APR Women & Men), Traffic Constable, ODRF, SSBn, OISF, OSAF, and Fire Service. Parade Commander K. Srinibasulu, IPS, led the event. ADGP (HQ) Prateek Mohanty oversaw the programme.
