In a bid to curb extortion during Dussehra, Comissionerate Police on Tuesday issued a WhatsApp number -7077798111 for denizens to report such illegal activities.
Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Prateek Singh urged people to share credible information related to drug trade and other criminal activities apart from extortion on this WhatsApp number. Keeping rising anti-social activities in mind, police introduced the number to keep a tab on unscrupulous elements.
The DCP took to Twitter and wrote, “If anybody falls prey to ‘Dadabati’ by any antisocial or any information relating to drugs and street crime in Bhubaneswar city. Please share information on our Street Crime WhatsApp no-7077798111. @cpbbsrctc@odisha_police.”
“We would immediately act against extortionists or other criminals after being informed about such activities,” said DCP.
Police, on a tip-off, carried out raids at Saliasahi slum and destroyed multiple barrels of country liquor.
“With the advent of the festive season, a large amount of country liquor is being made every day in the State capital. The makers of liquor use many ingredients which are unhealthy. That’s why we carried out raids simultaneously at three places inside Saliasahi. After a gap of two consecutive years due to covid restrictions, Durga puja will be held with much fanfare. This drive was carried out just to save devotees from unscrupulous elements and make them enjoy the festival to the fullest”, said DCP.
Meanwhile, police unearthed a tunnel that connects to a secret house where 100 litre of country liquor is made and sold every day.
Sanjib Satpathy, Assistant Commissioner of Police, said, "This tunnel has been created to avoid police raid and arrest. This tunnel connects to the den where manufacturers prepare country liquor and distil in huge amount. We have destroyed all the barrels of country liquor."
On seizure and arrests, the ACP said, "We seized pocha (fermented rice) weighing 15kg from the den and destroyed them. We seized 500 buckets of raw material. Almost all manufacturers have fled the scene after locking their respective houses. We have listed their names and efforts are on to nab them."