Vikash Sharma

Bolangir: Operation All-out, a special drive launched by Bolangir Police against criminals has now received appreciation from people after two hardcore criminals were nabbed in quick succession of encounters. Besides, the cops were also successful in nabbing 10 more criminals during the special drive.

It is pertinent to mention here that Bolangir Police had to face criticism over deteriorating law and order following the brutal murder of a media house employee on January 29. Though police arrested three persons involved in the murder, local residents took to streets protesting violence and deteriorating law and order.

Subsequently, Bolangir Police swung into action and formed a special team following instructions from the Superintendent of Police.

“We arrested Babula Mahananda after an encounter while Krishna was nabbed yesterday. Both the accused fired at the police team to escape. We are contemplating to attach the property of the accused,” said Bolangir SP, K Subramani.

“There has been a rise in crime in the last 5 years. The way criminals are enjoying political patronage, such special drives by police need to be intensified,” said senior advocate, Pramod Mishra.

Acting on a tip-off, the special team of police managed to nab dreaded criminal Babula Mahanand following an encounter. Mahanand’s eight other associates were also arrested. On Sunday, Mahanand’s another aide Krishna was apprehended in a police encounter.

According to sources, Mahanand, who was one of the key members of the Timan gang, was arrested in 2016. After that he expanded his crime network from Bolangir to Titlagarh and was involved in a series of loot, extortion and other crimes.

“Though we welcome such initiative by police, they should intensify patrolling, strengthen intelligence and conduct regular raids to check crime and criminals,” said retired SP, Bibekanand Rath.

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