Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has launched "Operation Garuda," a targeted statewide campaign to curb criminal activities and apprehend offenders. Directed by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, the operation began on August 1st and will continue through August 14th. 
Odisha Police Cracks Down: Operation Garuda Nets 129 in First Week!


Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar confirmed the operation's launch to media, emphasizing its intensified focus on preventing crime and targeting individuals involved in illegal activities.

Key Objectives of Operation Garuda

  • Enforcing pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs)
  • Disrupting illegal narcotics trade
  • Seizing illegal firearms and ammunition
  • Arresting wanted criminals
  • Conducting raids on gambling dens
  • Apprehending suspects linked to various crimes

Notable Achievements in First Week

All district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and officers actively participated, achieving significant results:
  • Warrants Served: 3,189 NBWs executed.
  • Liquor Seizures: 890 excise cases registered; 17,069.55 liters of illegal liquor seized.
  • Illegal Arms & Cash: 51 illegal firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, and ₹1,45,500 in cash confiscated.
  • Narcotics Busts: 11 NDPS Act cases filed; 888 kilograms of cannabis (ganja), 68.57 grams of brown sugar, 2 vehicles, and ₹63,750 seized.
  • Gambling Raids: 11 gambling cases registered; ₹2,79,485 in cash seized.
  • Arrests: 129 offenders apprehended.
  • Drunk Driving: 115 cases registered; 115 vehicles seized.

District Highlights

  • Ganjam: Seized 10 illegal firearms and arrested 13 people.
  • Rourkela: Arrested one person and seized 10 illegal firearms.
  • Kandhamal: Seized 535 kg of narcotics and arrested 15 people under NDPS Act.
  • Keonjhar: Registered the highest number of excise cases (107) and seized 1,509 liters of illegal liquor.
  • Rourkela (Gambling): Registered 3 gambling cases, seized ₹1,48,330, and arrested 17 people.
ADGP Sanjay Kumar, overseeing the operation directly, stated that Odisha Police remains committed to public safety and security. He assured that similar focused drives against crime and criminals will continue in the future.
Operation Garuda demonstrates the police force's proactive approach to maintaining law and order across Odisha.