BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police has set a target of making the state drug-free by March 2029, with the illegal narcotics trade, cybercrime and road safety identified as three major challenges, outgoing Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania said on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference on his last working day before retirement, Khurania highlighted the police force’s achievements during his two-year tenure and outlined key areas that will require continued attention.
The Odisha Police has launched the ‘Nishamukta Odisha Abhiyan’ to curb narcotics trafficking and eliminate cannabis cultivation in at least eight districts.
Odisha Police Targets Drug-Free Odisha by March 2029
Khurania said the state police, in coordination with the Excise, Forest and Revenue departments, have intensified action against narcotics trafficking and illegal cannabis cultivation.
Between August 2024 and July 2026, drugs worth approximately ₹4,195 crore were seized or destroyed during enforcement operations.
During this period:
- 4,892 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
- 5,376 drug peddlers and dealers were arrested.
- Around 64,022 acres of cannabis cultivation were destroyed.
- 1,395 cases related to cannabis cultivation were registered.
- 48 accused persons were apprehended in cannabis cultivation cases.
- More than 4.42 lakh kg of ganja, valued at over ₹2,000 crore, was seized.
- 2,706 ganja-related cases were registered.
- 3,867 persons were arrested in ganja-related cases.
- Police seized 28.53 kg of brown sugar, valued at around ₹56.90 crore.
- 662 brown sugar cases were registered, resulting in 1,032 arrests.
The number of cases registered under the NDPS Act increased by 23.8% during the first six months of 2026, which Khurania attributed to intensified enforcement.
He said the campaign against narcotics would continue, with the ultimate objective of eliminating the illegal drug trade from Odisha by March 2029.
Read also: How YB Khurania Climbed Every Rung of Policing Before Becoming Odisha’s DGP
Naxal Menace Eliminated in Odisha
Khurania described the Centre’s declaration of Odisha as a ‘Naxal-free’ state as the biggest achievement of the Odisha Police during his tenure.
The achievement followed joint operations conducted by the Odisha Police and Central Armed Police Forces against Maoists across various districts.
During these operations:
- 29 hardcore Maoists were neutralised.
- 83 Maoists surrendered.
- 15 Maoists were arrested.
Khurania said the Naxal menace in Odisha was eliminated on March 31, 2026, in line with the deadline set by the Centre.
Cybercrime Emerges as Major Challenge
Alongside narcotics, Khurania identified cybercrime as another major challenge facing the state police.
The Odisha government has sanctioned 20 new cyber police stations, which became operational from March 2026. The required manpower and infrastructure have also been sanctioned.
The outgoing DGP said strengthening cybercrime investigation and enforcement would remain an important priority as the nature of crime continues to evolve.
Separate Road Safety Wing Approved
Road safety was identified as the third major priority area for Odisha Police.
The state government has approved the creation of a separate Road Safety Wing within the Odisha Police and sanctioned the required posts.
According to Khurania, recruitment and training for the new wing are expected to be completed over the next two to three years.
He said there was significant scope to further improve Odisha’s road safety record.
Cognizable Crimes Decline in Recent Years
Khurania said cognizable crimes witnessed a decline during his tenure.
In 2025, several major categories of crime recorded a decline compared with 2024. Dacoity and rioting cases were among the crimes that registered significant reductions, while rape, theft, robbery and cheating also declined.
Between January and June 2026, compared with the corresponding period of 2025, official data showed declines across several major crime categories:
- Dacoity: down 22.8%
- Robbery: down 14.2%
- Theft: down 8.6%
- Rioting: down 4.4%
- Murder: down 2.9%
- House-breaking: down 0.8%
Khurania said the overall decline reflected strengthened policing and enforcement measures across the state.
Odisha Police Records 87.6% BNS Conviction Rate
The Odisha Police achieved an 87.6% conviction rate under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) between July 2024 and December 2025, Khurania said.
The state’s overall conviction rate, including cases registered under the earlier Indian Penal Code (IPC), increased to 37.9% in 2025, which he described as the highest-ever recorded rate in the state.
He attributed the improvement to:
- Better quality of investigation
- Greater use of scientific and forensic evidence
- Continuous encouragement of investigating officers
- Closer supervision by senior police officers
Between July 2024 and June 2026, trials in 1,75,329 cases were completed, with convictions secured in 57,881 cases.
Action Against Illegal Arms and Mining
Odisha Police also continued its crackdown on illegal arms and unlawful extraction of minor minerals.
Under the Arms Act:
- 2,674 cases were registered.
- 3,388 people were arrested.
- 910 weapons were seized.
- The seized weapons included AK-47s, INSAS rifles and SLRs.
- 1,435 rounds of ammunition were also recovered.
In cases involving illegal extraction of minor minerals:
- 7,079 cases were registered.
- 2,007 people were arrested.
5,451 Missing Persons Traced Under Operation Anwesan-2
Protection of women and children remained another major priority for Odisha Police, Khurania said.
Under Operation Anwesan-2, a 10-day campaign conducted in January 2026, police traced 5,451 missing persons.
The recovered persons included:
- 786 children
- 4,665 women
The operation was part of the state’s efforts to improve the tracing and recovery of missing persons and strengthen protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups.
649 Vehicles Added to Strengthen Police Response
To improve police mobility and rapid response capabilities, police stations across Odisha were provided with 649 additional vehicles.
Two drivers were assigned to each vehicle to ensure better operational readiness and faster police response.
Khurania said the additional resources would help improve the efficiency and mobility of the police force across the state.
CM Mohan Charan Majhi Praises Khurania’s Leadership
Khurania thanked Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the support and guidance extended to the police department during his tenure.
He said the state government’s provision of necessary resources had helped strengthen the efficiency, infrastructure and operational capabilities of Odisha Police.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Majhi praised Khurania’s leadership, saying his contribution to maintaining law and order, promoting peace and harmony, and steering the Odisha Police towards greater efficiency, empowerment and people-centric governance had been exemplary.
With the outgoing DGP identifying narcotics trafficking, cybercrime and road safety as the three key challenges, Odisha Police is now set to continue its enforcement and reform efforts, with the March 2029 drug-free Odisha target emerging as one of its major priorities.
Read also: Odisha: Jharsuguda Police Sets Record With 2,290 Blood Units Collected in One Day
