Police have cracked the sensational Sindhekela dacoity case, arresting seven accused from Kalyansinghpur in Rayagada district and recovering stolen property worth nearly Rs 3 crore.
The arrests follow a series of incidents in Sindhekela village under Sindhekela police station, where miscreants looted a jewellery shop and the revered Dwaraseni temple, sparking public outrage.
Recovered items include 2 kg of gold, 25 kg of silver ornaments, Rs 10 lakh cash, a Bolero vehicle, a KTM bike, knives and iron rods used in the crime.
Balangir SP Abhilash G informed the media at the Reserve Police Office that five special teams were formed to investigate the case. Acting on leads, police tracked a Bolero vehicle to Rayagada, which eventually led to the arrest of the gang.
The arrested dacoits are identified as Ishwar Naik (24), Trilochan Bag (25), Harischandra Naik (24), Sukant Bag (28), Barabil Naik (26), Nandalonda Pani (35), and Nabin Majhi (25). Police revealed the gang had earlier committed dacoities in Kalahandi district and served jail terms before regrouping.
The breakthrough comes after weeks of tension in the region, with locals staging protests and demanding swift action. Police said the gang had melted and sold some of the stolen temple ornaments, but significant property has been recovered.
