A government-issue INSAS rifle belonging to a police officer at the 7th Battalion in Bhubaneswar has allegedly been stolen. The incident bears particular importance because the rifle was stolen during President Droupadi Murmu’s Odisha visit last week.
The police officer, P Lachhmaya, who was undertaking his duties by staying at the 7th Battalion in Bhubaneswar, alleged that his INSAS rifle has been stolen.
He has registered a complaint at Maitri Vihar Police Station in Bhubaneswar in this connection.
Asked about the complaint, Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said, “The police have taken the matter seriously. We are conducting a probe in this connection; and, we will recover the rifle soon. Even the officers inside the Battalion are conducting a simultaneous probe.”
Speaking about a possible threat to VVIPs visiting Odisha for the ensuing elections, Singh said, “There is nothing to worry. We are alert and trying to recover the stolen weapon as soon as possible.”
President Droupadi Murmu concluded her four-day visit to the State on Saturday.