Central Range Crime Review: DGP Stresses Festive Security Preparedness
By IGP Dr Satyajit Nayak
Cuttack, Sep 8: With Odisha gearing up for a long festive season, Director General of Police Binayatosh Mishra on Tuesday directed senior police officers to strengthen advance security arrangements and maintain close surveillance across the Central Range.
The directions came during a high-level review meeting on law and order, crime control and policing in the districts under the Central Range, held at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack. The meeting was attended by senior police officers, including IGP Central Range Dr Satyajit Naik, IPS, and Superintendents of Police from the districts under the range. The DGP reviewed the overall law-and-order situation and the measures being taken to control serious crimes such as murder, theft, robbery and dacoity.
Road accident fatalities, enforcement against excise-related offences, the campaign for a drug-free Odisha, cybercrime, speedy investigation and timely filing of charge sheets were also discussed. With Ganesh Puja, Nuakhai, Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja, Gajalaxmi Puja, Diwali and Kali Puja, Amla Navami, Panchuka and Bali Yatra lined up in the coming months, Mishra stressed the need for detailed security planning well in advance.
He directed district police chiefs to identify sensitive locations, ensure adequate deployment of personnel, strengthen crowd-management measures and ensure smooth traffic regulation during major festivals. He also called for regular peace committee meetings and sustained coordination with elected representatives, community leaders and local organisations.
The DGP emphasised preventive policing in communally sensitive areas and directed officers to strengthen intelligence gathering to identify potential threats before they develop into law-and-order problems. He further stressed the importance of police-public relations, directing station-level officers to regularly visit their jurisdictions and interact with residents and public representatives. Sub-divisional police officers were asked to inspect police stations regularly and monitor investigations, case progress and delivery of police services.
On crime control, Mishra directed officers to maintain close surveillance over habitual and organised criminals and take firm legal action against offenders. He also called for intensified naka checking and patrolling to curb illegal cattle transportation and illegal extraction and transportation of minerals. The DGP directed police units to closely monitor social media for rumours, inflammatory content and misleading information and take appropriate action against attempts to create tension or spread misinformation.
He called for better coordination, communication and teamwork from the police station to the range level, stressing that professional policing, preventive action and public cooperation would be crucial to ensuring a peaceful and secure festive season across the Central Range.
