Four suspected Bangladeshis detained, weapons seized after large-scale raid in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur

Jagatsinghpur Police carried out a large-scale midnight raid at Beheram Basti near Tarikunda under Sadar Police Station on Sunday, detaining four suspected Bangladeshi nationals and recovering a significant quantity of weapons.

The operation, launched based on intelligence inputs about illegal settlers and suspected arms storage, led to a brief confrontation in which Additional SP Satyabrata Das and two constables sustained injuries.

Sources confirmed that a country-made revolver, machetes, cutters and multiple sharp weapons were seized from a rented house allegedly constructed and occupied illegally over the past four years.

The main accused, house owner Sikandar Alam alias Siku, fled the spot moments before the raid and remains absconding. Three platoons of force have been deployed as police broke open locked structures and continued searches across the settlement.

Raid Triggered By Intelligence On Illegal Settlers

Police teams moved into the area following specific alerts that foreign nationals were being sheltered at multiple rented units constructed without sanction. Residents had previously reported suspicious movements and repeated recovery of weapons in the locality. Officers stated that more than 30 suspected Bangladeshi nationals had been staying in the cluster, prompting a verification-led operation.

During the raid, police personnel attempting to enter the premises faced resistance, resulting in a scuffle. Despite the obstruction, the team secured the area, detained four individuals for questioning and began systematic searches in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.

The discovery of a country-made revolver and sharp-edged weapons prompted further verification of adjoining locked accommodations.

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Local Residents Claim Four-Year Illegal Occupation

Residents of Beheram Basti told police that unauthorised structures had been built in the settlement over the past four years to house Bangladeshi nationals on rent. They alleged that repeated complaints had been submitted and that a previous raid was carried out a month earlier, but the main accused had escaped then as well.

"Every other day, weapons are being discovered in this area. This is a very concerning development, and we are afraid for our children who go to neighbouring villages for schools and colleges. We are grateful to the police for carrying out this operation and seizing such a large cache of weapons. We demand that the houses of these settlers be razed,” said Manas Chandra Mishra, a local resident.

Another resident, Laxmikant Swain, said they had informed police nearly two months ago about the rented units. He added that the police had warned the homeowner during an earlier operation, but the accused again managed to evade arrest.

Officials Confirm Prior Surveillance

Jagatsinghpur SDPO Ajinkya Mane said the property had been under watch following intelligence inputs. He confirmed that officers had searched the premises in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and recovered multiple weapons, including a locally fabricated revolver.

“We had received suspicions and intelligence inputs that a man named Sikandar Alam was harbouring illegal Bangladeshi settlers in this place. When we raided this house last time, he managed to flee. A verification of all the recovered arms is underway, and further information will be released thereafter,” he said.