Two Odisha Cops With Alleged Links In Illegal Stone Mining Go Missing

Bhubaneswar: Two Inspectors-In-Charge of the State Police facing possible action by Odisha Crime Branch over their alleged links with illegal stone mining racket in Khurda have been missing from their duties since days.

Present Khurda Sadar Police Station Inspector-In-Charge, Bikram Keshari Jena and Baliapal IIC Ranjit Sahu who also had a stint as the police inspector of Khurda Sadar are under the radar of the Special Task Force of the Crime Branch in connection with their alleged links with mafia operating illegal stone mining racket in Khurda.

According to sources, Baliapal IIC Ranjit Sahu who went on a sick leave from October 22 last month is yet to join his duties despite two reminders from the office of Balasore SP. Surprisingly, the district police authorities are completely unaware about his whereabouts.

Similarly, Khurda Sadar IIC Bikram Jena is also yet to resume his duty after taking a 5-day leave even though Khurda SP had also issued a notice to him on October 21.

On August 17, 2019, Bikram was interrogated by the Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch probing the collusion between mining mafia, government officials and politicians in the illegal stone mining operations in Khurda.

Sources said both Bikram and his predecessor Ranjit have filed anticipatory bail in Orissa High Court in connection with the issue.

Meanwhile, the Khurda district police authorities have suspended Jena for his 'unauthorised absence from duty & non-response to recall notice.

It is pertinent to mention here that over 30 people associated with illegal stone quarrying in Khurda were arrested by the police a few months ago.

Jena was among the 11 officers who were nominated for police medal for Meritorious Service on August 15, but his name was dropped after STF summoned him in connection with illegal stone mining in Khurda.