Odisha govt accords police station status to NIA Bhubaneswar Branch Office

IANS May 19, 2025 412 views

The Odisha government has officially granted police station status to the National Investigating Agency's Bhubaneswar branch office. This strategic move empowers the NIA with expanded investigative jurisdiction across the entire state. The notification, signed on May 17, leverages legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The decision is particularly significant given Odisha's strategic coastal location and potential vulnerability to terrorist activities.

"The NIA office is designated as a police station for investigating scheduled offences" - Odisha Home Department Notification
Bhubaneswar, May 18: Odisha government has declared the branch office of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) in Bhubaneswar as a police station.

Key Points

1

NIA office officially recognized as police station with statewide jurisdiction

2

Notification signed by Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu

3

Powers extended under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

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Located in VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar

The state Home Department accorded the police station status through a notification signed by Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary.

The notification in this regard was issued on May 17. As per the notification, the state government exercising the powers conferred under Section 2 (1) (u) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) has declared the NIA office located in VSS Nagar area of Bhubaneswar as a Police station with the whole of Odisha falling under its jurisdiction.

The NIA office has been designated as a police station for the investigation of scheduled offences under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), for exercising the powers under the provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023).

The Odisha Home Department notification further noted that the order will come into force on the date of publication of this notification in the Odisha Gazette.

The NIA office, headed by a Superintendent of Police, In-Charge, is located at Vani Vihar (Near Tarini Pitha) in the VSS Nagar area of the city.

With this notification, the counter-terrorism agency that reports to the Union Home Ministry will formally open the office, which has been designated as a police station by the state government on May 17.

Odisha has several vital installations of national importance like the Integrated Test Range (ITR) - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, Ordnance factory at Badmal in Balangir, Paradip Port and the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri.

Due to its 480 km-long coastline and proximity to Bangladesh, Odisha is vulnerable to terrorist activities as well.

Odisha is also reportedly witnessing a heavy influx of illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi citizens.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
A
Arjun P.
This is a welcome move by Odisha govt! With sensitive installations like DRDO and Puri temple, we need strong anti-terror measures. The coastal security angle is especially important given Bangladesh border concerns. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
Good decision but implementation matters most. Hope this NIA branch will actually help curb illegal immigration which has become a serious issue in coastal Odisha. Need strict monitoring of fishing communities too - some bad elements might misuse the sea routes.
R
Rajesh K.
Finally some action on security! For years we've been hearing about Bangladeshi infiltrators in Odisha. Hope NIA will work with state police effectively. But will they have enough staff and resources? Center should allocate proper budget.
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Sunita T.
While security is important, I hope this doesn't lead to harassment of innocent people. We've seen cases where anti-terror laws are misused. There should be proper oversight mechanism to prevent misuse of powers.
M
Manish D.
Odisha becoming security-sensitive state is good for national interest. But what about local police training? NIA alone can't handle everything. State police need modern counter-terror training and equipment too. Center-state cooperation is must!
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Bhavna R.
Protection of Jagannath Temple should be top priority 🙏 This sacred place attracts millions of devotees. With NIA police station status, security arrangements can be more robust during Rath Yatra and other festivals. Good move for devotees' safety!

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Tags:
NIA Odisha Police Counter-terrorism Bhubaneswar Satyabrata Sahu National Security