Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has reported a broad improvement in its law-and-order and security operations over the last two years, with the state achieving Naxal-free status, recording a decline in several major crimes and intensifying action against drugs, illegal arms and mineral smuggling.
Outgoing Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, while addressing a press conference at Police Bhawan on Sunday, presented the force’s performance from August 2024 to July 2026. He attributed the results to coordinated operations, technology-led policing, better utilisation of human resources and increased public participation.
Khurania termed Odisha’s declaration as a Naxal-free state on March 31, 2026, the biggest achievement of the period. Joint operations by Odisha Police and Central security forces resulted in the killing of 29 hardcore Maoists, including Central Committee members Chalapati and Ganesh Uike.
During the period, 83 Maoists surrendered and 15 were arrested, while security forces recovered 176 weapons and 159 IEDs. Large-scale surrenders in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Kalahandi between December 2025 and March 2026 further weakened the Maoist network in the state.
The state also strengthened its anti-Naxal force by raising three additional Odisha Special Striking Force battalions with ex-Army personnel and sanctioning 3,009 posts. Risk allowance for security personnel was enhanced, while the revised Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy provides incentives of up to Rs 1.20 crore.
The crackdown on narcotics also yielded major results. Under campaigns such as Nisha Mukta Odisha Abhiyan and Operation Prahar, drugs valued at approximately Rs 4,195 crore were seized and destroyed.
Police registered 4,892 NDPS cases and arrested 5,376 persons. Enforcement against illegal ganja cultivation saw a record 64,022 acres destroyed, while seizures included 4,42,513 kg of ganja, 28.53 kg of brown sugar and 1,61,624 bottles of illegal cough syrup. NDPS cases increased by 23.8% in the first half of 2026.
The state also witnessed a downward trend in overall crime, Khurania said. Compared with 2024, overall crime declined by 30.2% in 2025 and 25.6% in 2026.
Between January and June 2026, rape cases declined by 22.8%, dacoity by 14.2%, theft by 8.6%, rioting by 4.4%, murder by 2.9% and housebreaking by 0.8%. Core non-enforcement cognisable crime fell by 3.4%.
While crime figures declined in several categories, enforcement cases increased by 87.5%, reflecting intensified action by the police.
Improved prosecution outcomes were another highlight. The conviction rate under the Indian Penal Code between July 2024 and December 2025 stood at 87.6%, while Odisha’s overall conviction rate touched 37.9% in 2025.
Between July 2024 and June 2026, 1,75,329 trials were completed, with 57,881 accused persons convicted.
Police also continued its crackdown on illegal arms and mineral-related offences. A total of 2,674 Arms Act cases were registered and 3,388 persons arrested, with 910 weapons and 1,435 rounds of ammunition seized.
Similarly, 7,079 cases related to illegal mineral mining were registered and 2,007 persons arrested. Special enforcement drives resulted in the execution of 34,978 non-bailable warrants and 44,036 warrants overall.
Women and child safety remained a key priority for Odisha Police. Under Operation Anweshan-2, police traced 5,451 missing persons, including 786 children and 4,665 women, within just 10 days in January 2026.
In 2025, police traced 19,211 missing women against 17,747 reported missing cases. The force also recorded declines in several crimes against women, including dowry deaths, public misbehaviour, suicide and torture.
Khurania said technology and modern policing practices had played an important role in strengthening the force’s response to emerging challenges, including cybercrime and coastal security.
He said the combined focus on enforcement, modernisation, personnel development and community engagement had helped Odisha Police evolve into a more proactive, responsive and technology-enabled force, while stressing the importance of maintaining public confidence in policing.
