Pioneer News Service
Daltonganj
Just a day after concluding the month-long anti-narcotics Operation Prahar, Palamu Police have launched Operation Safaya, a special drive aimed at dismantling the illegal arms network in the district.
Superintendent of Police Kapil Chaudhary said Operation Prahar focused exclusively on narcotics, including cannabis, opium, poppy straw and brown sugar, whereas Operation Safaya is dedicated to tracing and curbing the circulation of illicit firearms.
Clarifying that the new initiative will not replace the earlier campaign, the SP said both operations will continue simultaneously. “The launch of Operation Safaya does not mean Operation Prahar has taken a back seat. Police will continue both drives together,” he said.
According to police sources, Palamu has a widespread “katta culture”, with country-made firearms remaining common across the district. While licensed firearms continue to be viewed as a status symbol by affluent sections, locally made weapons, costing between Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000, are often purchased by those unable to obtain licensed arms.
Highlighting the success of Operation Prahar, the SP said police seized over 375 kg of cannabis, more than 6 kg of opium, 48 kg of poppy straw, and 5.49 grams of brown sugar, while registering 11 FIRs against 19 accused.
Under Operation Safaya, police have begun reviewing 10 years of Arms Act records, involving 851 accused, to trace offenders, including those on bail or acquitted, and monitor their activities to prevent any threat to public safety.
