DGP Reviews Statewide Police Preparedness Ahead of Student Union Polls; Stresses Women’s Safety, Cybercrime Control and Drug Enforcement
Bureau, Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar, October 6, 2026:Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Binaytosh Mishra on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting with Range IGs/DIGs and district Superintendents of Police (SPs) through video conferencing from the State Police Headquarters, taking stock of the state’s preparedness for the upcoming Student Union Elections on October 15, festive-season law and order, women’s safety, cybercrime, crime control and the Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan.
During the meeting, the DGP laid particular emphasis on maintaining close and constructive engagement with students, describing them as a sensitive community requiring regular and direct interaction with the police.
He directed all Inspectors-in-Charge (IICs) and SDPOs to hold meetings with student leaders and establish effective coordination to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and without disruption.
The DGP instructed police authorities to prevent the entry of outsiders and anti-social elements into college campuses, maintain close surveillance over hostels and messes, and remain in regular contact with students.
However, he advised against unnecessary deployment of police personnel in areas where there is no indication of violence or a serious law-and-order threat.
Police were also directed to keep a watch on student gatherings, feasts and other programmes during the election period to prevent any untoward incident.
Focus on Post-Poll Sensitivity
The DGP advised District Collectors, SPs, Sub-Collectors and college principals to hold coordination meetings to ensure smooth management of the election process.
He particularly cautioned the police to remain vigilant after the declaration of election results, when the possibility of clashes or retaliatory violence could increase.
Cybercrime and Women’s Safety
Reviewing the growing challenge of cybercrime, DGP Mishra directed officials to further strengthen the functioning of Cyber Police Stations and ensure that investigation and subsequent legal action in cybercrime cases are prompt, professional and outcome-oriented.
Women’s safety was accorded the highest priority during the review. The DGP directed officers to ensure swift, impartial and effective investigation of sensitive cases involving women.
Taking serious note of the recent criminal incident involving a young woman in Bhubaneswar, he directed police authorities across the state to maintain heightened vigilance over women’s safety and take firm legal action against those found responsible.
Crackdown on Organised Crime and Narcotics
On crime control, the DGP called for stringent action against habitual and organised criminals and stressed the need for sustained raids, inspections and enforcement against illegal activities.
He also directed officers to strengthen enforcement under the NDPS Act, particularly against drug trafficking networks and other organised criminal activities associated with narcotics.
Under the Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan, police were instructed to intensify action against drug trafficking and dismantle criminal networks involved in the illegal trade.
The DGP further directed the authorities to take appropriate measures for the destruction of illegal cannabis cultivation in accordance with the provisions of the NDPS Act.
New Criminal Laws and Police Modernisation
The meeting also reviewed the effective implementation of the new criminal laws and the development and strengthening of police infrastructure across the state.
The DGP stressed that effective implementation of the new legal framework, coupled with modern policing infrastructure and operational preparedness, would be crucial to strengthening the state’s overall law-and-order and crime-control mechanism.
The meeting was attended by ADGP (Modernisation) Soumendra Priyadarshi, ADGP (Railways & Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, Police Commissioner, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Dr. S. Devadatta Singh, ADGP (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, ADGP (Headquarters) Prateek Mohanty, ADGP (HRPC) Yatindra Koel, IGP (STF) Himanshu Lal, IGP (Intelligence) Satyabrata Bhoi, Director, SCRB Avinash Kumar, IGP (Crime Branch) Dr. Sarthak Sarangi, IGP (Provisioning) Niti Shekhar, IGP (Training) Anup Sahu, DIG (STF) Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh, DIG (HRPC) Rajesh Pandit, DIG (Crime Branch) Madkar Sandeep Sampad and DIG (Personnel) Jugal Kishore Kumar Banoth, besides all Range IGs/DIGs and district SPs who participated through video conferencing.
