Sambalpur: Sambalpur Police Crack Down on Rice Mill Dacoit Gang; Major Arrest and Recovery

Sambalpur: In a major operation, Sambalpur police arrested ten members of a notorious dacoit gang on Wednesday. This arrest is a significant step in combating organized crime in the region.

The accused persons have been identified as:

1. Madan Sundar Khadia (31) of Rengali
2. Sachin Khadia (22) of Bareipali
3. Sanjay Khadia (20) of Rengali
4. Sudarshan Khadia (28) of Rengali
5. Bikash Khadia (19) of Bareipali
6. Bulu Kandha (20) of Rengali
7. Sunil Majhi (19) of Rengali
8. Anil Majhi (32) of Rengali
9. Bhubana Luhara (23) of Rengali
10. Swaraj Meher (24) of Bargarh

The police recovered a substantial amount of stolen goods from the gang. Here’s a breakdown of the seized items:

Precious metals: 480 grams of gold, 175 grams of silver
Cash: Rs 5.12 lakh in currency
Vehicles: Two four-wheelers, Two tractors, Four motorcycles

The total value of these seized items is estimated to be around Rs 75 lakh, highlighting the scale of the gang’s operations.

Gang’s Criminal Activities

According to the Sambalpur Superintendent of Police (SP), this dacoit gang was responsible for numerous looting incidents throughout western Odisha. Their primary targets were: Rice mills, Petrol pumps, and Country-liquor units.

The SP revealed that police stations across several districts have filed at least 21 criminal cases against the gang members. These districts include Sambalpur, Bolangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sundergarh. The gang’s criminal activities span this wide area, highlighting the extent of their operations and the challenges law enforcement faced in tracking them down.

Ongoing Investigation

While this arrest is a significant accomplishment, the Sambalpur police are not sitting on their laurels. They are actively looking into the possibility of additional people being involved with this dacoit gang. This comprehensive approach aims to dismantle the criminal network and prevent future crimes.

Implications for Regional Security

This successful operation by the Sambalpur police is likely to improve the security situation in western Odisha. By apprehending these criminals and recovering stolen goods, the police have not only solved multiple cases but may have deterred future criminal activity in the region.

Residents of Sambalpur and neighboring districts can expect improved community safety and security as the investigation continues. The police’s determination to pursue all leads and potentially apprehend more gang members demonstrates their commitment to fully addressing this criminal threat.