To maintain law and order and ensure public safety across Odisha ahead of the upcoming festive season, the Odisha Police Headquarters has intensified a major statewide drive titled ‘Operation Daman’.
Executed under the direct orders of acting Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra, the synchronised crackdown involves District Police units, the Commissionerate Police, Railway Police, and specialised tactical teams operating across all districts.
Starting on September 21, 2026, the high-intensity drive targets anti-social elements, drug traffickers, illegal bootleggers, and absconding criminals.
Warrants Executed and Border Sealing
During the initial phase of the operation, police personnel executed 109 Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) against chronic offenders and initiated preventive legal proceedings against 40 individuals under Section 129 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
To curb inter-state crime, police teams established 151 blocking and border-sealing checkpoints along key arterial routes and state borders. In addition, raids against illegal arms yielded firearm seizures and dangerous weapons.
Massive Drug and Illicit Liquor Busts
The drive achieved significant success against illegal narcotics and bootlegging networks operating in the state:
- Narcotics Seizures (NDPS Act): Police registered 15 NDPS cases and arrested 18 drug peddlers. Confiscations included 1,918 kilograms of Ganja (cannabis), 63.62 grams of Brown Sugar (heroin), and 60 bottles of banned codeine cough syrup, alongside cash and vehicles used for smuggling.
- Excise Violations: A total of 148 excise cases were registered, leading to 6 arrests. Authorities seized 895 litres of country liquor, 193 litres of Foreign Liquor, 98 litres of Aska-40, and 209 litres of mahua-based liquor.
- Gambling and Extortion: Police raided multiple gambling dens, arresting 10 individuals in 2 separate cases, while 3 individuals were taken into custody for illegal extortion.
Mishra emphasised that Operation Daman will continue through September 30, 2026, with further intensification planned in the coming days to guarantee a peaceful environment during the festivities.
