3 IRB jawans dismissed from service for ‘smuggling Ganja’ in Odisha

Three accused jawans from the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) were dismissed from their duties on Saturday following their alleged involvement in a Ganja (cannabis) trafficking operation in Odisha's Boudh district.

Also Read: Ganja trafficking busted in Boudh, 2 including Home Guard arrested

The three identified as havildar Kunal Singh and constables Trilochan Rana and Neelam Barla were expelled by the Commandant of the Fifth Battalion.

The jawans, previously suspended over the Ganja smuggling, were arrested during a raid on the Manamunda Police Barracks in Boudh, where authorities confiscated 15 kilograms of cannabis from their possession.

“I would appeal to all our policemen that they should not be involved in any illegal activity. Three IRB jawans working in Manamunda were sent to jail a few days ago. They have been dismissed from service,” Boudh Superintendent of Police (SP), Rahul Goel said.

“All legal measures are being taken in this regard,” the Boudh SP stated to OTV.

Earlier in another incident, as many as two persons including a police home guard were arrested in Boudh on Thursday on the charge of peddling cannabis.

The arrested home guard of Manamunda Police Station was identified as Samaru Sethi. He was known to be the mastermind behind the cannabis trafficking operation and was arrested following the interception of a truck that was transporting watermelons. However, the police discovered more than a quintal of cannabis concealed in the vehicle.

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Ongoing challenges and blot on Khaki

Despite these efforts, the recent arrest of a policeman highlights persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in curtailing illegal Ganja trading.