Talcher, Odisha: District police arrested six people, including two members of a dacoity gang that had long terrorized Talcher subdivision and four others who bought stolen gold chains. Police seized over ₹10 lakh worth of gold ornaments, two bikes, ₹44,000 in cash, three mobile phones, and a knife from the accused. Superintendent of Police Angul Rahul Jain said the gang committed more than 12 robberies in Talcher, Colliery, Gopalprasad, and Samal areas. Victims recently filed several complaints about gold thefts in these police stations.
After receiving the complaints, Talcher SDPO Bharat Chandra Sahu formed a special team to track the gang. The team caught two main members in the first phase of the operation, but the mastermind managed to flee. Police identified the arrested men as Rajesh alias Sushil Naik (26) of Scotlandpur village under Talcher police station and Runu alias Akhila Naik (25) of Khaman village under Banarpal police station. Acting on their information, police arrested four gold buyers Hari Nana alias Harmohan Tripathy of Jagannathpur village (Colliery PS), Akshay Naik of Bikrampur, and Vikas Naik and Pravati Naik of Daanra village (Gopalprasad PS).
Investigators discovered that Akhil and Rajesh had criminal records four cases in Talcher, three in Colliery, three in Gopalprasad, and two in Samal. Sushil faces 12 cases, while Akhil faces 13. The main accused, Vikas Naik, remains on the run with more than 35 criminal cases across the district. Police are working aggressively to capture him soon.
Inspector Debabrata Nayak (Talcher PS), SI Shakati Ranjan Nayak (Bikrampur PS), SI Balaram Behera (Gopalprasad PS), SI Rudramohan Nayak (Colliery PS), SI Manash Ranjan Sahu (Samal PS), and constables N. Panigrahi, Sunil Kishan, and Vibrat Garnaik formed the special team. Their swift action and coordination helped dismantle the Talcher dacoity gang, restoring peace and confidence among residents who had lived in fear for months. Police pledged to continue cracking down on all criminal networks connected to the gang.
