TV
In a major breakthrough, Kandhamal police on Sunday unearthed a sensational case involving the seizure of a huge cache of explosives from a model cattle shed in Jagannathpur village under Chamakhandi police limits in Ganjam district.
Addressing a press conference at Tumudibandha police station, Baliguda SDPO Ramendra Prasad revealed detailed information about the operation.
According to police, as many as three individuals were arrested in connection with the case and they are Alok Kumar Patra of Sorada area in Ganjam district, Hemant Sethi of Gopalpur police station area, and Shakti Ranjan Dash of Bhawanipatna town in Kalahandi district.
Moreover, around 10 tons of explosive materials were seized along with Rs 4 lakh in cash, two vehicles, and six mobile phones from their possession.
Calling it a sensitive case, SDPO Ramendra Prasad confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the incident.
Hemanta Sethi has been accused of illegally procuring large quantities of explosives by producing fake GST bills and stockpiling them in cattle sheds before transporting them to different districts of the state. According to police sources, he had been supplying these explosives mainly to stone quarry and crusher owners for several years.
SDPO officials revealed that Sethi was the mastermind behind this illegal operation. Police are now investigating whether the explosives were also being supplied to Maoist groups in Maoist-affected areas.
Must Read: Large stockpile of explosives seized from ‘cattle shed’ in Odisha’s Ganjam
As per the police statement, on the night of August 15, during Janmashtami, Tumudibandha Police conducted a vehicle-checking drive at Rampur Square. During the operation, a Max pickup van loaded with explosives was intercepted while being transported from Ganjam to Kalahandi district.
Further leads have also emerged from Kandhamal and Ganjam districts, where additional links to the explosive supply network have been found.
