BHUBANESWAR: Amid a series of encounters across the state in the past few days, DGP YB Khurania on Friday clarified that police neither intend to initiate or endorse such measures.
Khurania said, “There is no provision for encounters in the law and we do no not encourage such actions. Police are compelled to retaliate in self-defence when a suspect opens fire first.” He also warned that stringent action will continue against the notorious criminals in the coming days. “A list of habitual offenders has been prepared at the police station level. They are under our radar and the enforcement drive against them will continue in the coming days,” he said.
Meanwhile, Odisha Police launched a special drive on May 12 against traffic violators, absconding criminals and habitual offenders. Fine to the tune of `6.46 crore was collected for various road safety violations during the period, the state police said in a statement. The western range collected the highest penalty of Rs 1.78 crore for road safety violations, followed by central range at Rs 1.41 crore.
As part of the campaign, police executed non-bailable warrants against 5,703 offenders and nabbed 520 absconding anti-socials. They also initiated action against 957 habitual offenders under section 129 of BNSS and 2,620 others were booked under section 126 of the BNSS.
Police also registered 31 cases under Arms Act, arrested 35 criminals and seized 39 firearms along with 29 rounds of live ammunition from them. To curb illegal mining of minor minerals, police registered 654 cases and arrested 162 miscreants. Police seized 878 vehicles including Hyvas, trucks, tractors, tippers, power tillers and earthmovers.
Police registered 97 cases under NDPS Act and apprehended 137 drug dealers and peddlers and seized 7,398 kg ganja, 586 gm brown sugar and 220 gm heroin. They have initiated action against 3,293 people driving under intoxication and seized their vehicles.
