Koraput: Police have decided to form a district counter action team after tasting success in checking the ganja trade here following formation of the district task force.
The move, conceptualised by Koraput district superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh, aims to control sensational and major crimes in all police station limits of the district.
"Though we have arrested over 100 criminals in the district in the past few months, the district counter action team will exclusively deal with crimes, including murder, robberies and highway loot among others, conducted by the inter-district and inter-state criminals in the district," he said.He said the team would include some of the most agile, physically fit and excellent sharp shooters available with the district police.
"The team will have its own intelligence network and can operate anywhere across the district. The concept is unlikely to put any additional pressure in terms of manpower at the police station level, as no manpower will be withdrawn from any of the police stations of the district," Singh said.
While the team - to be headed by a DSP-rank officer - will function under the district police chief and investigate all heinous crimes reported across the district, the police stations will be responsible for working out the local crimes. "With a dedicated team in place to look after the heinous crimes, we hope to contain those in the district more effectively," Singh said.
The police had recently busted an inter-state robbers' gang and arrested as many as nine persons, two belonging to Uttar Pradesh, during a raid in Jeypore Sadar police limits.
Local people have welcomed the police department's effort in checking the heinous crimes here. "It's a welcome move by the police, and we are hopeful that crime rate will decrease in the district in coming days," said Ajit Patra, a Koraput based activist.
After formation of the district task force, the police have arrested over 50 ganja mafia, including two constables, and suspended one inspector for allegedly being involved in the trade.
