Bhubaneswar: Khandagiri Police on Wednesday arrested two persons for allegedly impersonating police officers and robbing tourists at the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills, a popular tourist destination in the city.
The arrests were made after on-duty police personnel caught the accused red-handed while they were harassing a young couple at the site. The duo had allegedly posed as an Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) and a Sub-Inspector (SI) to intimidate visitors and extort money and valuables.
The accused have been identified as Joseph M.E., a native of Kerala, and Jitendra Samantaray, a resident of the Jagamara area under Khandagiri police limits.
According to police sources, the accused were actively operating in and around the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills, targeting unsuspecting tourists. By falsely projecting themselves as law enforcement officials, they would threaten visitors with legal action and coerce them into handing over valuables.
Prompt intervention by the police prevented further incidents, and both accused were immediately taken into custody.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether they were involved in similar crimes in the area and to recover any stolen property.
