IRB Platoon Commander suspended over illegal ‘ganja smuggling’ in Odisha

The Platoon Commander of an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), identified as Deputy Subedar Narayan Bhoi of the Boudh Battalion, was suspended from his duties on Monday in connection with an illegal cannabis smuggling case.

According to reports, the 5th Battalion Commander, Manoranjan Biswal, suspended Bhoi for negligence in duty and for failing to supervise his team properly.

Background of the matter:

The case pertains to another order from earlier this month when three jawans from his platoon were found involved with illegal cannabis, leading to their dismissal from service.

Sources had then reported that the three jawans, havildar Kunal Singh and constables Trilochan Rana and Neelam Barla, were expelled by the Commandant of the Fifth Battalion. They were reportedly arrested during a raid on the Manamunda Police Barracks in Boudh, where authorities confiscated 15 kilograms of cannabis from their possession.

As of the latest reports, the Battalion Commander stated that even though the three IRB personnel were actively involved in illegal activities, Platoon Commander Narayan Bhoi failed to detect their actions and hence, has been discharged from his duties.

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Green Clean Mission of Odisha:

The stringent action comes amid a statewide crackdown on illegal cannabis trading under the aegis of the state government’s ‘Green Clean Mission’. The initiative plans to eliminate the cultivation and trade of such contrabands by the year 2026.

Notably, the state’s task force, comprising several wings of the police and excise departments, has raided multiple locations in the Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, and Mayurbhanj districts with added surveillance ongoing.

Further, several tons of cannabis crops have been destroyed, including a notable drive to eliminate over 3,500 kg of cannabis and the destruction of 87 acres of cultivated land full of illegal crops worth Rs 17 crore in Ganjam.

(Reported by Deepak Adar)