Jharsuguda : In a significant operation on Monday, the Jharsuguda Railway Protection Force (RPF) apprehended four individuals in two separate incidents, seizing around 77 kilograms of ganja worth approximately Rs. 7.70 lakh. The seizures were made during surprise inspections aimed at curbing the illegal transportation of contraband articles through the railways.
In the first incident, the RPF team conducted an inspection on Platform No. 1 at the Rourkela end of Jharsuguda Railway Station. The team observed a male individual carrying a white sack and a female individual with a black trolley bag exhibiting suspicious behaviour. Upon interrogation and inspection of their belongings, the individuals were identified as Nari Mahanandia (40) and Aarti Mahanandia (35), both residents of Kumursigha in Boudh District. The inspection led to the seizure of 36 kilograms of ganja from the duo.
In the second incident, the police identified two more suspects Bidyadhar Mahar (35), a resident of Khuntwan under Boudh Police Station, and Kanchan Devi (35), a resident of Rayan in Burdhaman district, West Bengal, currently residing in Khuntwan under Boudh Police Station. The RPF team noticed the suspects behaving suspiciously while carrying a grey trolley bag on Platform No. 2 at the Rourkela end of Jharsuguda Railway Station. Upon interrogation and inspection, the suspects confessed to carrying 41 kilograms of ganja valued at approximately Rs. 4.10 lakh and were awaiting a train.
In both cases, the Excise Mobile Unit in Jharsuguda was promptly informed. The detained individuals, along with the seized contraband, were handed over to the Excise Department of Jharsuguda. The department has registered cases under the NDPS Act of 1985.
