Authorities have apprehended seven individuals during a raid on an illicit gambling operation in the village of Bada Dunguriguda, located within the jurisdiction of M. Rampur police in Kalahandi district.
The operation, which occurred late on Tuesday night, escalated into violence when the gamblers reportedly attacked police officers, threw stones at their vehicle, and hindered their official duties.
A police press release indicated that intelligence was received around 1:30 AM on October 27 about ongoing gambling activities involving significant cash in the Bada Dunguriguda region. A police team arrived at the scene about 15 minutes later to carry out the raid.
Upon their arrival, the officers encountered intense resistance. The gamblers verbally assaulted the police, hurled stones at their vehicle, and physically attacked the officers while making death threats. In a particularly alarming incident, one of the suspects allegedly seized a female Home Guard officer by the throat, dragged her to the ground, and tried to choke her.
While seven suspects were arrested at the location, two others escaped into the night.
The individuals taken into custody include:
- Ghanashyam Rana (63) – Nunpur village
- Dayanidhi Bhoi (57) – Rishida village
- Shakti Putel (27) – Bada Dunguriguda
- Subrata Mishra (29) – Bada Dunguriguda
- Debaraj Dandia (56) – Madanpur village
- Radheshyam Rana (35) – Rishida village
- Kamadev Padhan (28) – Rishida village
During the raid, police confiscated a bamboo basket used for gambling, six dice, ₹13,200 in cash, one motorcycle, and five mobile phones from the site.
A case (Case No. 271/2026) has been filed at M. Rampur Police Station under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3 of the Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, based on a report submitted by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Bijay Kumar Benia. Investigations continue as authorities work to locate the two individuals who managed to flee.
