SDPO of R. Udayagiri Selected for ‘Nisha Mukta Odisha Abhiyan’ Award Recognizing Contribution to Drug-Free Campaign

Paralakhemundi:May 05:  R. Udayagiri Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rakesh Kumar Sahu has been selected for the Nisha Mukta Odisha Abhiyan Award.
In the tribal-dominated Gajapati district, illegal cannabis (ganja) cultivation has been increasing steadily. Middlemen often lure innocent tribal people with various incentives to encourage such cultivation. Despite administrative awareness efforts, many people in R. Udayagiri, Mohana, and Nuagada blocks continue to grow and sell ganja.
Taking a strict approach to eradicate illegal cultivation, SDPO Sahu has been actively leading operations—seizing large quantities of ganja and arresting smugglers involved in trafficking. Under his leadership, in the past four months, around 18 quintals of ganja have been seized from the R. Udayagiri and Adava areas, with an estimated value exceeding ₹18 crore.
In recognition of his efforts, Odisha Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania has honored the young IPS officer with the DGP Disc Award, making him eligible for the prestigious anti-drug campaign award.