Puri: Intensifying the drive against extortion, Police in Puri have arrested 18 persons for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities and collection of 'dadabati' from traders and businessmen.
A few days back, a viral audio of some anti-socials threatening some hoteliers and demanding extortion was found being circulated and later Puri SP too came across it.
Immediate action was initiated by Puri Police and city DSP and IICs and personnel of eight police stations conducted multiple raids at different places of the city. During the drive, 18 criminals involved in various crimes, collection of extortion and in specific cases were apprehended and forwarded to the court.
The viral audio case has also been cracked. The accused has been identified and arrested based on a case registered at the Baliapanda police station.
Zero tolerance to crime and antisocial activities in the district has been at the top of the priority list, says Puri police.
Last month, Police here had arrested seven persons including a minor boy on charges of demanding extortion from a person and murderously attacking him. A complaint filed by one Prabhakar Mohapatra, in the evening of December 18, he received information regarding admission of his son at the Puri district headquarters hospital and that he is in a critical condition.
As per the allegations, his son along with two of his friends was returning to his house that evening when on the way near Gokhasahi, the accused persons demanded extortion (dadabati). However, when Mohapatra’s son refused to give them money, the accused allegedly attacked him with a knife injuring him grievously. He was immediately rushed to the hospital in a critical condition.
Following multiple raids, Baselisahi Police was able to apprehend the accused and after a thorough interrogation, it is claimed that they confessed to have committed the offence. The accused were booked under sections 341/386/324/307/34 of the IPC, and forwarded to court.
READ | Anti-Extortion Drive: 7 Including Minor Arrested By Puri Police