In a dramatic film‑style operation, police arrested Tuna Harijan, a dreaded criminal with more than 30 cases against him, after a 30‑km chase from Kotpad to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.
Borigumma police tracked Tuna after learning of his presence in Kotpad. A special team led by Additional SP Abhishek Panigrahi, Manoj Pujari, SI Srikant Kumar Behera, constables Akshay Sil and Sonu Nayak pursued him on motorcycles. Realising he was being followed, Tuna sped away, but the team cornered him near Jagdalpur’s new bus stand. He was overpowered at gunpoint and taken into custody.
Tuna had earlier clashed with police on August 24, firing four rounds and attacking a police vehicle with sharp weapons before escaping. He remained on Koraput police’s hit list and was listed among the district’s most wanted criminals.
His record includes temple thefts and dacoities across Koraput, Nabarangpur and nearby areas. He targeted Kumuli Jagannath temple, Kamara temple, Borigumma Bhairav temple and Kotpad Jagannath temple. In Nabarangpur, he allegedly tied up homeowners during robberies, even mutilating an elderly victim to snatch gold ornaments.
Police believe further interrogation will reveal more details of his criminal network. Tuna was produced in court today following his arrest.
