Odisha police wakes up; seeks details of Achyuta Nagar residents

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 23:

Five days after the arrest of two hardcore criminals of Bihar from an ashram on the outskirts of the Odisha capital, the Commissionerate policeon Saturday shot letters to the ashram and the local police station seeking information on the visitors and inhabitants in and around it.

Fingers were pointed at the Trahi Achyuta ashram at Jhinti Sasan under the Balianta police station limits after the arrest of two hard-core Bihar criminals, who had been living here since last 17 years, from the ashram by Patna police.

In a letter to the Trahi Achyuta ashram, Commissionerate Police has asked it to furnish details of the inhabitants of Achyuta Nagar; their permanent residence; how long they have been residing here and the details of frequent visitors to the ashram.

Besides, the Commissionerate Police has asked the Balipatana police to provide details of Achyuta Nagar; whether it exists inside the ashram precincts or elsewhere. In addition to this, it has been asked to give details of the regular visitors to the ashram.

On August 17, a team of Special Task Force from Bihar, with the help of Laxmisagar police station staff, had arrested two notorious criminals from Bihar from the capital city.

As many as 40 criminal cases are pending against the two hardcore criminals—Abhay Singh and Manjeet Saha – in various police stations in Bihar. At least nine cases of murder are registered against the duo who were on the run since last 17 years.

Besides murder, the accused were also involved in dacoity, bombing, kidnapping, burglary and loot cases.

The absconders had allegedly taken shelter at the Trahi Achyuta ashram on the outskirts of the city.  They were working as van drivers in the ashram apart from extending their services during various religious functions at the ashram.

Notably, around 1000 families are living in Achyuta Nagar colony, which is adjacent to the ashram. Interestingly, none of them belongs to the village or even to Odisha. All the inhabitants are from other states of the country.

Everyday, hundreds of devotees come to the ashram for darshan of the Lords. For this, dedicated vans have been put into service from Bhubaneswar Railway station and other locations of the city to the ashram. The two arrested criminals from Bihar were also engaged in driving vans since last 17 years.

It may be mentioned that after committing crimes in Bihar, the two accused had fled Bihar and came to Bhubaneswar in an effort to avoid arrest after NBWs were issued against them.