Jharsuguda: Jharsuguda police on Wednesday arrested three youths allegedly involved in threatening & extorting money from truck drivers and local hotel owners at gunpoint near Panchpada Chowk on SH-10 under operation Netra.
Police identified the accused as Munnu Pandey (25) and Abhinandan Pandey (19), residents of Chochakpur in Gazipur district of Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Kamlesh Sha (20) of Dubling Colony in Jharsuguda.
According to police officials, during evening patrol, a tip-off was received about miscreants creating panic near Bhai Bhai Dhaba at Panchpada Chowk. The trio were reportedly brandishing pistols and extorting money from truckers passing through the bypass. Acting swiftly, the police team, along with two independent witnesses, rushed to the spot and apprehended them.
Jharsuguda SP G. Reddy Raghavendra said, “The gang had been intimidating drivers and obstructing trucks to demand ‘dadabati’ (extortion money). A country-made pistol, three live rounds, two mobile phones, a Hero motorcycle without a number plate, and ₹4,680 in cash were seized from their possession.”
He added that the crackdown was part of the ongoing operation Netra to curb antisocial activities in the district. “Strict action will continue against those indulging in such crimes,” the SP said.
The accused were booked under Sections 296, 132, 351(3), and 308(4) of the BNS along with provisions of the Arms Act.
