Odisha DGP YB Khurania Rejects ‘Encounter Culture’, Unveils Massive Crime Crackdown with Drug Busts, Arms Seizures and ₹6.46 Crore in Fines
Odisha DGP YB Khurania has clarified that the state police do not support encounter killings and act only in self-defence. The statement comes amid a massive statewide enforcement drive that has led to arrests, arms seizures, anti-drug operations, illegal mining crackdowns, and collection of ₹6.46 crore in traffic violation penalties.
Odisha DGP YB Khurania Rejects ‘Encounter Culture’, Unveils Massive Crime Crackdown with Drug Busts, Arms Seizures and ₹6.46 Crore in Fines
Bhubaneswar: At a time when reports of police encounters have sparked debate in several parts of the country, Odisha Director General of Police YB Khurania has made the state police’s position crystal clear. According to the state’s top police officer, Odisha Police neither promote nor support encounter killings and remain committed to operating strictly within the framework of the law.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of recent incidents involving armed confrontations between police personnel and criminal suspects. While such events have attracted public attention, the DGP stressed that police firing occurs only under exceptional circumstances when officers are forced to defend themselves against armed attacks.
At the same time, Khurania signaled that Odisha Police have no intention of easing pressure on criminal networks. In fact, the force has already launched one of its most extensive statewide enforcement campaigns in recent months, targeting habitual offenders, absconding criminals, narcotics traffickers, illegal arms operators, traffic violators, and illegal mining syndicates.
The result has been a sweeping crackdown that has produced thousands of arrests, hundreds of seizures, and significant financial penalties across the state.
No Legal Provision for Encounters, Says DGP
Addressing concerns arising from reports of recent encounters, DGP Khurania emphasized that the law does not recognize encounters as a policing strategy.
He stated that Odisha Police do not encourage such actions and have no policy that supports encounter-based law enforcement.
According to the DGP, situations involving exchange of fire occur only when police teams come under attack from armed suspects during operations. In such circumstances, officers are compelled to respond to protect their own lives and the safety of others present at the scene.
His remarks are being viewed as an attempt to reinforce Odisha Police’s commitment to lawful policing while distinguishing legitimate self-defence actions from the controversial notion of encounter-driven law enforcement.
The statement also sends a broader message that criminal elements will continue to face strict enforcement, but within constitutional and legal boundaries.
Habitual Offenders Under Constant Watch
As part of its ongoing crime-control strategy, Odisha Police have intensified surveillance on repeat offenders and individuals with long criminal histories.
According to Khurania, police stations across the state have prepared detailed lists of habitual offenders operating within their respective jurisdictions.
These individuals are now under continuous monitoring.
The objective is straightforward: identify repeat criminal activity early, prevent organized offences before they escalate, and ensure that known offenders remain under close scrutiny.
Officials believe that enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering can significantly reduce recurring criminal incidents while strengthening preventive policing efforts.
The DGP indicated that enforcement against such offenders will become even more aggressive in the coming weeks.
Massive Statewide Enforcement Drive Begins
The latest action forms part of a comprehensive enforcement campaign launched by Odisha Police on May 12.
Unlike routine policing operations, this initiative has been designed as a coordinated statewide effort involving multiple units and districts simultaneously.
The campaign targets a wide range of offences, including:
Traffic violations
Absconding offenders
Habitual criminals
Illegal arms possession
Narcotics trafficking
Illegal mining activities
Drunk driving offences
Officials describe the campaign as one of the largest recent exercises aimed at strengthening law and order while improving public safety indicators across Odisha.
₹6.46 Crore Collected in Traffic Enforcement
Road safety emerged as one of the major focus areas during the drive.
Police intensified checks against traffic violations, leading to the collection of penalties amounting to an impressive ₹6.46 crore.
The enforcement figures reveal the scale of violations detected across the state.
Among Odisha’s police ranges, the western region recorded the highest collection, contributing approximately ₹1.78 crore in penalties.
The central range followed closely, accounting for around ₹1.41 crore.
Officials say the objective was not merely revenue collection but encouraging safer driving behaviour and reducing accident risks on state roads.
The campaign included extensive vehicle checks, enforcement of safety regulations, and action against reckless driving practices.
Thousands of Warrants Executed
One of the most striking achievements of the operation has been the execution of pending legal processes against wanted individuals.
During the campaign, Odisha Police successfully executed 5,703 non-bailable warrants.
This represents a significant push toward ensuring that individuals facing serious legal proceedings are brought before the justice system.
In addition to warrant execution, police arrested 520 absconding criminals who had been evading law enforcement action.
These arrests are expected to strengthen prosecution efforts and reduce the number of long-pending criminal cases involving fugitive accused persons.
Strong Action Against Repeat Offenders
The crackdown also focused heavily on repeat offenders and individuals considered habitual lawbreakers.
Police initiated action against 957 habitual offenders under Section 129 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Meanwhile, another 2,620 individuals were booked under Section 126 of the BNSS.
Law enforcement officials say such actions serve both preventive and deterrent purposes by placing offenders under legal scrutiny before criminal activities escalate.
The large number of cases reflects the state’s broader effort to curb recurring criminal behaviour through sustained enforcement rather than isolated operations.
Illegal Arms Network Comes Under Scanner
Odisha Police also intensified operations against illegal firearms and weapons trafficking.
During the enforcement campaign:
31 cases were registered under the Arms Act.
35 accused individuals were arrested.
39 firearms were seized.
29 live rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Officials believe that removing illegal weapons from circulation is critical to preventing violent crimes and disrupting criminal networks.
The seizures indicate active efforts to dismantle local supply chains involved in unlawful arms possession and distribution.
Major Anti-Drug Operations Yield Results
Perhaps the most significant outcomes of the campaign emerged from anti-narcotics operations.
Drug trafficking continues to pose a major challenge for law enforcement agencies across India, and Odisha is no exception.
Police launched extensive operations against drug networks operating in different parts of the state.
The results were substantial.
During the drive:
97 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
137 suspected drug traffickers and peddlers were arrested.
Authorities also seized significant quantities of narcotics, including:
7,398 kilograms of ganja
586 grams of brown sugar
220 grams of heroin
The seizures underscore the scale of the narcotics trade that law enforcement agencies continue to combat.
Officials believe that disrupting supply chains and arresting key operators remains essential for reducing drug-related crime and addiction issues.
Illegal Mining Syndicates Face Heat
Illegal mining emerged as another major focus area of the statewide operation.
Police intensified inspections and enforcement activities against unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals.
The campaign resulted in:
654 cases being registered.
162 offenders being arrested.
878 vehicles being seized.
The seized fleet included trucks, tractors, tippers, excavators, and other heavy machinery allegedly used in illegal mining activities.
Authorities say illegal mining not only causes significant environmental damage but also results in revenue losses and often fuels organized criminal networks.
