Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police have intensified a statewide crackdown on criminals and anti-social elements following the shocking mob lynching of GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain in Balianta, with Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania directing all district SPs to take stringent action against habitual offenders and organised criminal networks.

NSA to be invoked against habitual offenders, says Odisha Police

According to police sources, all police stations across the state have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance on anti-social elements, hardcore criminals, jail returnees and repeat offenders. The DGP has reportedly directed officers to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against dangerous criminals wherever necessary.

Senior police officials said special morning briefings are now being conducted in police stations to closely monitor local incidents and intelligence inputs. Station officers have been asked to immediately report sensitive developments to district SPs and DCPs.

Special police drive against illegal Arms and drug trade continues

Police have also launched intensified action against illegal ganja smuggling, narcotics trade and illegal arms trafficking. Officials stated that police teams have been conducting special drives across various districts and will continue the operation for another 10 days.

The DGP reportedly warned that criminals have no place in Odisha and instructed officers to take decisive action against those attempting to challenge law enforcement.

Police officials said several successful operations have been conducted over the last five days, leading to the seizure of illegal firearms and the arrest of multiple absconding criminals. Around 50 hardcore offenders have reportedly been detained and sent to jail during the recent crackdown.

Authorities further informed that 1,771 persons have been arrested and forwarded to court as part of intensified policing operations across the state.

The statewide action follows the brutal mob lynching incident in Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, which triggered widespread concern over law and order.

Meanwhile, the number of arrests in the case has risen to 13, including prime accused Chinu alias Ranjit Patra.

According to police, the violence erupted after GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain and his associate Om Prakash Rout were accused of assaulting two women travelling on a scooter.

The women alleged that the duo passed objectionable remarks at them and later rammed their scooter, causing them to fall on the road.

One of the survivors alleged that after the fall, she was physically assaulted, strangled and dragged, while her clothes were torn during the incident.

Following the alleged assault, local residents reportedly gathered at the spot and attacked Swain and Rout. Videos circulating on social media showed Swain tied to an iron structure and brutally beaten by a mob.

Swain was first taken to Balakati Community Health Centre and later shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead. His associate Rout was rescued by police and remains in custody.

Police have registered an attempt to rape case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the complaint lodged by the two women. A separate murder case has also been registered in connection with the mob lynching.

The Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, said Soumya Ranjan Swain died due to blunt force trauma. Investigators also claimed that Swain had allegedly consumed steroids a few hours before the incident and was behaving aggressively at the time.