Jails across Odisha raided

Raids were conducted on a large number of jails across Odisha today during which several objectionable materials and cash were seized by the police.
"It was a state-wide operation during which police teams carried out raids on a large number of jails as part of a drive to unearth prohibited and dangerous items," said Additional DG of Police (Prisons), Arun Kumar Ray.
While details of the seizures made during the raids are still awaited, reports received from some teams so far suggested that a number of mobile phones and tobacco items like cigerettes, gutkha and bidis have been seized.
The search was carried out in over a dozen prisons including Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar, Choudwar jail in Cuttack, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Balasore and Berhampur, a senior official said.

A report from Sambalpur said that the police team seized around Rs 16.72 lakh in cash, nine mobile phones and other items from the office of Sambalpur Circle Jail.
Sambalpur Superintendent of police Akhilesvar Singh said the money was seized from the almirah in the office chamber of the jailor. Moreover, 9 mobile phones, SIM cards, Ganja, liquor and other intoxicants were also recovered from the jail, he said.

Singh said the jail officials stated that the amount was prisoners' cash and advance for purchase of materials for the jail.
"We have brought three registers of the jail for verification. A joint inquiry report will be submitted to the Home Department, Director General of Police and IG Prison in this regard," added the SP.

In Choudwar circle jail, Cuttack, some cigarettes and a television set were among the seizures made during the raid, the sources said.
DCP-Cuttack, Sanjeev Arora said a detailed report about the articles seized during the search operation at Choudwar jail would be given to the concerned authorities.
Objectionable materials including narcotics substances were stated to have been seized during raid at Jharpara jail in Bhubaneswar, they said.