The Commissionerate Police on Wednesday announced the closure of the Firing Range III of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) Battalion near Daruthenga on the outskirts of the city after villagers complained about the risk posed to them due to firing practices by the SOG so close to the village.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Satyabrata Bhoi announced that the SOG Battalion Firing Range at Chandaka has been closed with immediate effect after about 20 residents of Daruthenga met him on Wednesday and complained about the danger posed to them following Tuesday's incident.
On Tuesday morning, at least 10 bullets pierced the walls of some houses in the village while SOG jawans were practising firing from the range located around 1.5 km from the village. The bullets had apparently bounced off their targets.
The DCP said he would visit the spot for an inquiry and discuss the matter with IG, Operations Soumendra Priyadarshi. "We will try to find out how the bullets missed the targets and whether Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed during the firing pratice," Bhoi said.
Meanwhile, the bullets shells which pierced the walls of the village have been seized by the police. Sukanti Behera, a housewife, had a providential escape as a bullet barely missed her and got lodged on the wall of her house.
At around 10.30 am on Tuesday, the villagers had heard the sound of bullets. When they came out of their houses, they saw the walls of some houses, including the local UP School, with two-inch deep holes on them. They also found bullet shells. Notably, there are three Firing Ranges in the SOG Battalion premises.