NIA takes over probe into explosives loot by ‘Maoists' in Odisha
The National Investigation Agency has taken over the investigation into the loot of a large cache of explosives by 'suspected Maoists' earlier this week. This comes as police and security agencies continue to look for the explosives, looted from a stone quarry in the state's Sundargarh district earlier this week.
According to the police, an armed group of 25-30 'Maoists' looted four tonnes of explosive gelatin sticks from a stone quarry under K Balanga police limits in Rourkela police district Tuesday while an explosive-laden truck was on its way to the stone quarry at Banko. The quarry is inside the Saranda forests — an area bordering Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.
The group allegedly forced the driver to operate the vehicle but eventually released him.
Odisha has witnessed significant fall in Maoist-related activities over the years with the presence of left-wing extremists limited to a few pockets only. Police sources said there was no Maoist-related activities in Sundargarh districts in the past 10 years.
The Odisha Police, in coordination with the Jharkhand police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, have launched search operations.
The truck has been found but explosives are yet to be traced, police said.
'According to the first information received from the driver, those who looted the explosives were Maoists. Based on the information received from the driver, we have lodged an FIR. The investigation is continuing and operational procedures are being followed in the area,' said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Brijesh Rai.
Odisha Director General of Police YB Khurania visited the site and held meetings with senior police officers to monitor the operations. The DGP also directed police to step up security measures in vulnerable areas.
Police sources said a NIA team also reached Rourkela Thursday and launched a probe into the matter. The NIA team is expected to visit the site of the loot, and is likely to question the driver of the vehicle.
The border area with Jharkhand has been sealed by the security agencies. Police sources said instruction has also been issued to the local police to probe the licence details and other information related to the stone quarry.
According to the White Paper published by the state's home department, only four Maoist-related incidents were reported in 2024 compared to nine such incidents in 2023. As part of the anti-Maoist operations, as many as six extremists were killed by security personnel and eight others were arrested in 2024. Meanwhile, 24 ultras surrendered.
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