Bhubaneswar: In a bid to strengthen law and order and ensure swift response to incidents of mob violence, the Odisha Government has decided to deploy a special force across the state.

Official sources said two dedicated units — the Special Tactical Unit (STU) and the Special Task Group (STG) have been constituted for this purpose.

The move comes in the wake of the Balianta mob lynching case and similar incidents reported from other parts of the state, raising concerns over public safety and rapid response mechanisms.

These specialised teams will be deployed independently in Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles. In case of any outbreak of mob violence, the units will rush to the spot immediately and take necessary steps to bring the situation under control.

Officials said personnel in these units have undergone specialised training to effectively handle crowd control and other volatile situations. Their role, however, will not be limited to tackling mob violence alone.

The STU and STG units will also be engaged in urban counter-terror operations and assist in surveillance during VVIP movements, keeping a close watch on public activity to prevent any untoward incidents.

The initiative aims to enhance the police’s rapid response capabilities and ensure better public safety, particularly in sensitive and high-risk situations.