Chhatrapur:In a major breakthrough against organised crime,Ganjam police has launched a proactive and intensive overnight special drive across multiple police stations in the district targeting illegal firearms and criminal networks.Speaking to newsmen today at Chhatrapur,IG(SR)Niti Sekhar said the drive which was conducted as part of a preventive policing intiative,led to the arrest of 20 individuals,habitual offenders and history sheeters and also key members of organised crime syndicate.The operation conducted yesterday night,,also resulted in the seizure of 8 illegal firearms,12 magazines and 31 rounds of live ammunitions.This is one of the major actions under the newly introduced section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS),which specifically deals with organised crime.In addition to the charges under the BNS,the accused persons have also been booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act,the IG said.As per initial investigations,the firearms appear to have been sourced from other states,to trace and dismantle the supply chain involved in the trafficking of illegal weapons special teams have been formed,said Ganjam SP,Subhendu patra.Ganjam police are also exploring the legal avenues to seize properties acquired through illict means by the arrested persons,marking a comprehensive approch in the fight against organised crime.The drive underscores the committment of Ganjam police to maintain law and order and to deal firmly with criminal syndicates operating in the region,said the SP.In the first week of the current month,the special drive started and 18 criminals with 17 illegal firearms were nabbed.With todays arrest,the total arrested persons number rose to 38 and seizure of 25 illegal 7.65 mm firearms & 97 bullet rounds during last 8 days,said the SP.
