Contraband seized during raid on Bolangir District Prison

Angry: A police team comprising Bolangir Superintendent of Police (SP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, along with nine other senior police officers and two platoons of police, on Friday carried out a surprise raid on the Bolangir District Jail and seized tobacco and other narcotics. On the instructions of SP Khilari, a team from the Town Police Station carried out the raid early on Friday morning, two days after a gang clash took place in the jail. During the raid, the police searched 12 wards or cells, the kitchen, toilets, washroom and other places in the jail. Several contraband items including bidi (local cigarettes), cigarettes, cannabis, two lighters and a trimmer were seized. The discovery of these illegal items in the cells has raised serious concerns about how they were smuggled inside.

SP Khilari stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted and the higher jail authorities will be informed of the findings. The Bolangir District Jail currently houses many notorious criminals and there have been reports of frequent fights in the jail. Recently, a notorious criminal Bablu Mahananda was allegedly attacked by two other inmates, Chotu Khan and Vishal alias Vicky Suna. The jail superintendent had acknowledged the incident. It is even believed that some criminals are controlling criminal activities in Bolangir town and other parts of the district from the jail.

Allegations have surfaced that criminals are using mobile phones to extort money and are engaged in land mafia activities and intimidation. It is alleged that certain jail officials are hand in glove with the criminals in jail and are engaged in illegal activities. SP Khilari assured that all aspects are being investigated. When questioned, Jail Superintendent Sarveshwar Sahu said that there was a trimmer in the jail saloon and the investigation will reveal how he came to be in the cells.