Sarangi, a 1990 batch IPS officer, is at present posted as the OSD, Home Department. Binyanand Jha, a 1988 batch IPS officer who is officiating as ADGP, OHRC, will replace Sarangi as the new OSD, Home Department.
Pranabindu Acharya, IPS (RR. 1989) at present Additional DG of Police, Railway & Coastal Security, has been transferred and posted as ADGP, OHRC.
Shefeen Ahmed K, IPS (RR. 2003) at present IGP, Technical, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Fire Service & Home Guard. Similarly, L. Divya V, IPS (RR. 2013) at present SP, CID-CB, has been transferred and posted as SP, Dhenkanal.
“Odisha is the foremost state in implementing technology for better policing. We are committed to utilise technology during crime investigation and prevention since it is a prominent aspect of the 5T formula propounded by the State government. Review of data related to criminals and action taken against them will be conducted on regular basis so that our crime fighting becomes more efficient," said Sarangi while addressing a presser.
The 1990 batch senior IPS further stated denizens must have a good and friendly experience with police which is possible if their issues are redressed and strict action is taken against criminals.
"Intelligence gathering will be one of the priorities of the Commissionerate Police as I believe in intelligence-led policing," Sarangi added. He also stressed that traffic control will be the major challenge in the Twin Cities.
Sarangi who took charge as the new Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate from his predecessor Satyajit Mohanty was given a ceremonial welcome by top police officials.
Prior to the new assignment as Police Commissioner, the IPS officer, who has a doctorate in investigative psychology to his credit, was the director of State Crime Records Bureau.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty who has been transferred and posted as additional DG of Prisons and Director of Correctional Service said that his stint as the Commissioner was both challenging and rewarding.
"I have successfully managed three international events in a small period. Extensive people-oriented programmes were launched by the police during the time. Even though the stint was small, it was challenging," said Mohanty adding that the Twin City Police requires development in human resources and infrastructure sector.
‘Perform or Perish’- Kicking off his ideas, Sarangi has made his intentions quite clear before the officers that the approach is result-oriented.
Reportedly, Sarangi was seen making surprise visits to the police stations across the city, where he discussed with the IICs about his plans and new approach towards an efficient policing. This apart, he supervised how things are being managed at police stations, and the cops’ behaviour towards a complainant and whether any progress is made after a complaint is lodged.
Speaking to media, Sarangi stated, "This is a normal process to identify every single official and come to terms with their way of working. Even they should understand what I am expecting from them and what changes need to be done to streamline the current process.”
“If they succeed in inculcating new ways, we will definitely succeed in our motive. And action would be taken against those who don't adopt our new policies," added the city Commissioner.
Time and again, Sarangi has been hailed for his responsive administration which is evident through his interactions with the public on social networking sites.
In yet another attempt to encourage interaction with the masses, Sarangi today took to his Twitter account to host information about a LIVE session on AMA (Ask Me Anything) which, he said, he would be holding on Twitter on December 14, 2019. In order to strike a conversation with the people, Sarangi asked them to use hashtag #AskYourCP to send their questions. The deadline for submitting questions is December 12 (8 PM).
"In continuing efforts to reach out to citizens I will be holding a Live Q&A on Twitter. Hope to answer as many questions as possible. Please hashtag #AskYourCP to send your question by 12 Dec. Looking forward to the session on 14 Dec at 5 PM," tweeted Sarangi.
In continuing efforts to reach out to citizens I will be holding a Live Q&A on Twitter.Hope to answer as many questions as possible. Please hashtag #AskYourCP to send your question by 12 Dec.Looking forward to the session on 14 Dec at 5 PM.@TwitterIndia @Cpbbsrctc @CMO_Odisha pic.twitter.com/32IcYl7qP0
— Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi (@SarangiSudhansu) December 9, 2019
He interacts with children as well. Recently when Sarangi met two kids- Aahrav & Aanyaa, at his office, the siblings were curious to know why children in India are scared of cops. Here's how Sarangi responded to their 'innocent' queries.
Q. Singapore children are scared of strangers, not the Cops. Why are children in India scared of cops?
A. Fear is created by elders, police is used to scare crying babies without realising how damaging creating such fear is for society, we must all work for a new India free of such irrational fear.
Q. What do you study to be a cop?
A. Anything, but you have to be very good at studies to join the police. Once you join the police we will then train you as a Cop.
Tyre killers are metal strips installed on roads with sharp spikes on one side. While the spikes act as minor speed breakers for those in the correct lane, the ones in the wrong lane will have their tyres punctured instantly.
Of the 242 wrong-side point in the twin city, 32 crucial junctures have been identified for installation of the tyre killers, sources said. The metal spikes would be installed on an experimental basis at one of these vulnerable spots and will be made operational in the later phase.
Briefing media about the move, Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said, "Everyday people are caught driving in wrong direction and we have been taking action against such violators and penalising them to prevent this. We have now decided to install spike barriers on city roads wherein the tyres of vehicles in the wrong lane will get punctured instantly."
"I would request the commuters not to violate any of the traffic rules and then plead to let them go after getting caught. Everyone should follow traffic rules and those violating the rules should have self respect. I further request media houses not to gain cheap TRP by showing negative things," added Sarangi.
Notably, Pune was the first city to install the tyre killers but they were removed following safety concerns. While Hyderbad and Noida also followed suit, the decision evoked a mixed response among residents of Noida.
https://youtu.be/_pJKuIWoMsY
The entire stretch of road from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan is one of the busiest roads in the city. The traffic capacity has been increased by four times owing to massive development and a new connecting link between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar with the recent opening of a new bridge.
Terming the recent death of a minor boy after an ambulance allegedly got stuck in traffic for long in Bhubaneswar as unfortunate, Sarangi said, “It was an unfortunate incident and there is no need to debate on what circumstances led to it as it is a sensitive issue. We have not given any statement so far and we can understand the pain of the family.”
Sarangi further said, "Only the treating doctors can say what had happened to the boy and what his health condition was. But from the recent debate on the incident, we can say that massive awareness needs to be created among people."
“An ambulance usually takes 14 hours from Koraput to Cuttack and three hours for an emergency vehicle to reach Cuttack from Berhampur. We need to first analyse the health condition of the patient with prior consultation with experts and doctors as there are three types of ambulances including the ones with basic and advanced life support. There is no link between patient’s transfer with traffic and we do not know how it got linked in Bhubaneswar incident,” Sarangi clarified.
As a lot of major hospitals are located in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, hundreds of vehicles from different parts of the State are engaged in transportation of patients. Usually, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is followed where a traffic personnel in a particular junction shares information to the personnel in the next junction so that road is cleared in advance.
“Usually there is tendency to shift patients quickly to hospitals. But emphasis should be given on transferring the critically ill patients in the right type of ambulance and with the suggestion of doctors,” the Police Commissioner said.
On ‘Green Corridor’ for ambulances, the Police Commissioner said, “Green Corridor is not required for all medical situations as ambulances with ventilator supports are termed as ICU on wheels. In case of the recent cadaver transplant, we had created a green corridor for transporting the organs which was same as per the SOP followed elsewhere. When doctors feel they make requests for green corridor and special provisions are made as well.”
Sarangi further urged motorists to give way once they hear siren of an ambulance. “People should either move right or left or stop for a while to allow the ambulance overtake,” he added.
The meeting saw participation of all the bigwigs of the Twin City police including, the Commissioner of Police Sudhanshu Sarangi, Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahu and Traffic DCP Sagarika Nath who detailed out the crowd management and traffic regulations to be put up during the occasion.
Though representatives of all servitor associations were present at the meeting, Brahman Nijog Samiti had excused them from the meeting protesting the non-transfer of the executive officer. However, the Nijog has extended its support in the smooth conduct of Maha Shivratri also called the Jagar Jatra.
Throwing light on the parking and traffic regulations, Sagarika Nath informed, “We have identified 14 numbers of parking places in the entire area, out of which six parking slots are dedicated for four-wheelers. It’s a three layer parking plan. The four-wheelers would be restricted to the outer-most layer. The two-wheelers will be allowed to the second layer of parking and the pedestrians will be allowed to the inner-most area of the temple.”
She further said, “Movement of four-wheelers will not be allowed beyond Mausi Maa Square and two-wheelers will not be allowed to move ahead after Badheibanka.”
It has been decided that the sacred ‘Maha Deep’ of Lord Lingaraj will be raised atop the 11-century shrine at 10 PM sharp.
CP Sudhanshu Sarangi said, “The ‘Jagar Jatra’ of Mahaprabhu Lingaraj belongs to all the devotees and not us. We are here to provide our support in the swift conduct of the affair.”
Sarangi requested all the stake holders including the Badu Nijog Samiti and the Sebayats to make sincere efforts to adhere to the timetable provided in this meeting and complete all the rituals in time because all eyes will be on Lingaraj Temple on that night and the sacred ‘Maha Deep’ of other temples will only be lifted after it is raised at the Lingaraj temple as per the tradition.
Speaking on the much controversial demolition drive undertaken recently to beautify the temple and its surroundings, Sarangi said, “To make something nicer one needs to break it apart first. The evacuation drive has facilitated passage of a lot more devotees during Jagar Jatra.”
Sarangi once again requested all the locals and devotees to use the designated parking places to park their vehicles and then take a walk to the temple.
He emphasised on the need of CCTV cameras those can be installed in various parts of the temple to keep a tab on the miscreants who prowl the temple premises and loot the valuables of gullible devotees.
Chief secretary Asit Tripathy informed that the twin cities continue to be under lockdown restrictions.
Also Read: COVID-19 Lockdown Blow: Unemployment Rate In Odisha Zooms To 4-Yr High In March!
"While the agriculture sector is being cautiously opened up there will be not much change in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as far as rhythm of lives of citizens is considered. The twin cities continue to be under lockdown restrictions. Pls continue to observe stay at home & be safe!" tweeted the chief secretary.
While the agriculture sector is being cautiously opened up there will be not much change in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack as far as rhythm of lives of citizens is considered. The twin city continues to be under lockdown restrictions.Pls continue to observe ‘stay at home & be safe !’
— ChiefSecyOdisha (@SecyChief) April 19, 2020
Following the central government guidelines, the state government has relaxed certain restrictions for agriculture and allied activities during the second phase of lockdown in the state.
As the state government has intensified sample testing in the capital city, the chief secretary informed that more than 2,500 samples were taken in 3 days.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that lockdown status will continue in the capital city to contain the spread of COVID-19 till a review of the situation.
The Lock down status in #Bhubaneswar will continue as such to contain the spread of #COVID19 till review of the situation.
Residents of #Bhubaneswar are requested to kindly bear with us and co-operate.@CMO_Odisha @SecyChief @SarangiSudhansu @cpbbsrctc @IPR_Odisha @HFWOdisha
— BMC (@bmcbbsr) April 19, 2020
Bhubaneswar has turned into a Covid-19 hotspot reporting 46 positive cases out of total 61 cases in Odisha.
Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said the lockdown restrictions in place in Bhubaneswar city limits since March 22 will continue until further orders.
"So, please do not expect any change tomorrow, i.e. on 20 April. The situation is under review. We request citizens for their continued co-operation," said Sarangi.
He said the state government employees in Bhubaneswar are requested to show identity card and letter from head of the office mobilising for duty and police personnel will let them go.
For State Government Employees in Bhubaneswar, they are requested to show identity card & letter from head of office mobilising for duty & police personnel will let you go.
No vehicle pass is required for them.— Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi (@SarangiSudhansu) April 19, 2020
Also Read: COVID-19 Lockdown: Odisha Asks Collectors To Ensure Safety Of Women In Shelter Camps
IT & ITES companies in Bhubaneswar are requested to continue with present Work from Home arrangement and function with a maximum of 25 percent staff coming to office, said Sarangi.
IT & ITES Companies in Bhubaneswar are requested to continue with present Work from Home arrangement & function with a maximum of 25 % staff coming to office. They will be allowed on showing Company I card & email showing that they are part of the 25 % asked to come to office.
— Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi (@SarangiSudhansu) April 19, 2020
(With IANS Inputs)
On being asked whether police have identified the police personnel allegedly involved in the gang-rape case, Sarangi said, "It is not the focus of the probe. The investigation is in being carried out from a different angle."
Commenting on the case will not be apt, he said adding, "We will submit our report in Orissa High Court."
The HC had earlier expressed its displeasure over the inordinate delay in the investigation into the case and scheduled the next hearing in the case on October 7.
While hearing a petition filed to hand over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the court had also reportedly rapped the police for dragging its feet over the investigation and said that the probe should be handled by a senior official.
On August 30, the mother of the survivor had lodged a police complaint alleging the involvement of some employees of a media house and police personnel in the case.
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Odisha: Rs 5 Lakh Looted From Outside Bank In Bolangir
Sarangi who spoke to reporters following the arrest of four of the accused involved in the dacoity, said that the mastermind of the crime was Lala Amrit Ray, an employee at the company.
“Lala had planned the loot with the help of one of his college friends, identified as Ranjan Behera alias Bapu,” Sarangi said.
He said the police have recovered around 2 kilograms of gold ornaments following the arrest of Lala and his three associates, including his college friend Bapu.
On November 19, four miscreants who came on a couple of motorcycles had stormed into the IIFL office at Naya Sarak. They took away gold ornaments and cash estimated to be worth over Rs 12 crore from the locker of the private finance company before making good their escape.
Sarangi said that the loot was possible on account of the poor security measures at the office of which the miscreants took full advantage.
“There were several loopholes in the security measures at the company which did not bother to even verify the antecedents of its staff before appointing them,” said Sarangi.
Giving further details, Sarangi said Amrit had siphoned off some gold ornaments during his five-year stint with IIFL. Fearing that his misdeeds would be exposed following the appointment of a new auditor recently, Amrit hatched a plan with his friend to loot cash and gold ornaments from the company before he was caught, said Sarangi.
Cuttack private finance company loot: Four persons involved in the IIFL loot detained, 2 kg gold recovered. Mastermind of the loot Lala Amrit Ray is an employee of the company, informs Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi #Odisha
— OTV (@otvnews) November 24, 2020
Amrit’s elder brother was earlier arrested on charges of embezzling gold ornaments from another finance company, under the Mangalabag police limits, where the latter worked.
Though Amrit’s name had also surfaced in that case, he had managed to evade arrest by obtaining an anticipatory bail from a court.
On the fateful day, the masked miscreants had also taken away mobile phones of the employees and locked them in a room in order to prevent them from informing police.
https://youtu.be/knW9xq-jir0
During investigation, the Commissionerate Police found that the security sirens and CCTV cameras at the office were dysfunctional since the past several months.
“No video footage was available with the branch’s head office in Mumbai as the CCTV in Cuttack branch was defunct. The lone security guard was absent from duty for the past several days and no steps were taken to repair the alarm system which would have cost them less than Rs 200 to 300,” said Sarangi.
A senior police official informed that all the procedures including opening of the digital locker through OTP mechanism was also not being followed by the company.
Though the police have recovered around 2 kgs of gold ornaments, investigations have revealed that the accused have kept a part of the loot in another finance company. “Only after proper audits we will be in a position to ascertain how much gold ornaments was actually looted,” Sarangi added.
Sarangi made the statement while appearing for a special programme on Road Safety aired on OTV on Monday and said, "The advent of technology is making people lazier and hence, they are inviting diseases. Walking and cycling for commute is a healthy alternative to stay fit. So everybody, especially youths should spare some time and use cycles."
Speaking about the ever growing traffic congestion in the Twin City, Sarangi said, "The traffic congestion could be lessened if people use cycles instead of vehicles. There are some people who make it a point to park their vehicles in front of the shop they intend to go into. They should park at the designated parking places and walk to their destinations."
On rising cases of road accidents, Sarangi said, "This is not normal to disobey traffic rules. If we consider disobeying rules as normal, abnormal things like mishaps will happen with us."
"We have given a proposal to the NHAI to make arrangements for queue-driving between Bhubaneswar-Cuttack. I think, the proposal will be materialised within 2-3 months," informed Sarangi.
The National Road Safety Week is usually observed from January 11 to 17 every year but this year, the Ministry of Transport and Highways have decided to observe the event as National Road Safety Month from January 18 to February 17.
Speaking on the same, the Commissioner said, "Even though we tightened the rules and increased the fine, it was observed that many commuters were still not obeying rules. So, it was decided to create more awareness among masses by extending the Road Safety Week to a month."
It is pertinent to mention here that various awareness events including bike rallies, female two-wheeler rider rallies and meetings on road safety were held across Odisha to mark the beginning of the National Road Safety Month on Monday.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
“From an analysis of the available data, we have found that cyber criminals have duped over Rs 1.4 crore from people in different parts of the State. The Commissionerate Police has been able to block transactions worth Rs 7.19 lakhs. 239 SIM cards used to make such fraudulent calls have been blocked so far,” said Sarangi.
Sarangi said that the newly set-up Cybercrime Helpdesk received over 1200 complaints from distressed citizens who reportedly fell prey to the various swindle ploys of online fraudsters.
Out of the 1200 complaints, 368 were from Bhubaneswar alone.
The Police Commissioner said that already a proposal for setting up a dedicated cybercrime police station in Bhubaneswar has been submitted to the State government and the Odisha Police. The proposed unit is likely to come up this year, he added.
#Odisha: Commissionerate Police launches help-desk with emergency helpline number 7440006709 to redress Cyber Crime-related complaints.
— OTV (@otvnews) January 7, 2021
On a positive note, the Commissioner said, due to spread of awareness, people are not sharing personal information or OTPs whenever they receive anonymous calls from fraudsters.
Analysis of data has also revealed that most of the fraudulent calls were made from Jharkhand, Deoghar in Bihar, some villages in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala and other parts of the country.
“Most of the fraud calls were traced to other States while a few originated from Odisha,” said Sarangi.
The Police Commissioner said that the main objective of the Helpdesk is to provide immediate assistance to victims of online fraud during the initial hours. "We appeal people to immediately share phone numbers from which they are getting such fraud calls," he said.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
A ‘Love Letter’ from the traffic police will follow your on-road antics and take you by surprise when it lands right at your doorstep, asking you to pay up the fine.
This because you may not have thought many eyes are keeping a close watch on you and the traffic cops are constantly monitoring the footage sitting at the control room.
“Don’t ever think that you can escape action after violating the traffic rules. You will definitely be caught one day and punished for the offence. If you manage to escape the traffic police, a ‘Love Letter’ will be sent to your home by the police asking you to pay up the fine,” said Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi.
Needless to say traffic police personnel will scan through the footage of CCTVs installed at various squares to nail the traffic offenders.
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of month-long Traffic Awareness Month on Wednesday, Sarangi said Rs 25 crore has already been collected as fine from traffic offenders in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar within one year after the stricter traffic rules came into effect.
“On the basis of CCTV footages, around 350 challans are being issued every day for violation of traffic rules by motorists. The number will further increase in coming days,” cautioned Sarangi adding that certain motorists are still not obeying the traffic rules and waiting for the cops to catch hold of them.
Priyadarshi, a 1995 batch State cadre IPS officer who was posted as the ADG, Crime Branch, has replaced the incumbent commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi.
“As the government has shown faith on me and given such a big responsibility, I will try my best to discharge my duties with utmost sincerity,” said Priyadarshi exclusively to OTV after being appointed as Twin City Police Commissioner
Sarangi, who recently received wide laurels from all including Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal for the dramatic arrest of the key accused in the Anjana Mishra gang rape case 22 years after the crime took place, from Maharashtra, has been shunted back to his earlier position as the CMD of Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation.
"I have relinquished charge as Commissioner of Police of twin city. I thank the State Government for the opportunity to serve as CP. I would remember this challenging tenure amidst Covid-19 & will derive satisfaction that I gave my best & received love & respect of the people," Sarangi tweeted.
I have relinquished charge as Commissioner of Police of twin city.
I thank the State Government for the opportunity to serve as CP.
I would remember this challenging tenure amidst Covid-19 & will derive satisfaction that I gave my best & received love & respect of the people. 🙏— Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi (@SarangiSudhansu) March 8, 2021
According to a notification issued by the Home department, M Akhaya, a 1988 batch IPS and who was posted as CMD, OPH &WC Ltd, has been now transferred and posted as DG Fire Services, CG, Home Guards & Director, Civil Defence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCYTMhx4NbA
Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi on Friday informed that eight firearms, 16 magazines and 1000 rounds of ammunitions were recovered following a raid on the residence of the gangster brothers at CDA on Thursday evening.
The raid was conducted basing on the information shared by an arms peddler Prakash Behera, who was arrested by a special team of Choudwar Police yesterday, said Sarangi.
According to Police, Prakash was supplying arms to local gangs in the city. He was earlier arrested for his alleged links with D-brothers in 2016 and was released on bail.
Choudwar IIC nabbed Prakash and recovered two firearms from his possession. During interrogation, Prakash revealed to have supplied firearms to one Saroj Sethi who then confessed to have smuggled a lot of arms to the gangster brothers before their arrest in 2016.
Subsequently a raid was conducted on the residence of Dhalasamant Brothers on Thursday. “Eight guns, 16 magazines, over 1000 live ammo were recovered from the spot. All the weapons were found hidden in secrete chambers within interior designs in the house,” said Sarangi.
Prakash Behera also confessed to have supplied firearms to six persons who have been arrested. So far the Commissionerate Police has recovered 16 weapons, 1095 live ammunitions and arrested eight persons following a crackdown in the past 24 hours.
“We suspect that many firearms would still be hidden inside interiors of the gangster brothers’ house at CDA. “We will bring both Sushil and Sushant Dhalsamant on remand for further investigation.”