89-year history of Odisha Police — from ancient Atabika forces to modern policing: A look

Bhubaneswar: April 1, 1936, marks a golden chapter in Odisha’s history — not only was the state officially born, but so too was the Odisha Police. With just 4,000 personnel drawn from the Bihar-Odisha, Madras Presidency, and Central Provinces forces, the journey of Odisha Police began amid administrative challenges and a pressing need for integration.

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Yet, policing in Odisha predates the British era. Ancient texts like Manu Smriti and Arthashastra reference early forms of law enforcement. During the Kalinga period, Atabika police curbed civic unrest. In medieval times, rulers like Ananga Bhim Dev and Pratap Rudra Dev deployed Danda Paikas for policing, while the Mughal-era introduced the Kotwal system, carried forward by the Marathas.

The colonial shift began in 1803 when the British enforced structured policing. By 1861, the Indian Police Act shaped law enforcement across British India — a model that still influences modern policing. Odisha’s first Inspector General of Police post-independence was Mr. J.E. Pearman, succeeded by notable officers including Sri R.C. Dash and Sri J.C. Ghosh.

In 1946, the Odisha Military Police (OMP) was established under the Odisha Military Police Act. Initially dealing with volatile uprisings across Bhadrak, Cuttack, and Ib, the OMP played a crucial role in maintaining law and order post-independence. The force later evolved into the Special Armed Police (SAP) in 1980, comprising 8 battalions and one India Reserve Battalion today.

Key organizational strides include:

• The creation of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) in 1936.

• Establishment of the Odisha Police Manual Rules in 1940.

• Formation of Bhubaneswar Police District in 1975 for capital city policing.

• Launch of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bhubaneswar under DIG, CID, to aid scientific investigations.

Post-independence, Odisha expanded rapidly. By the 1990s, the state had 32 police districts. Reorganization followed major state developments — including the merger of 25 princely states in 1948 and the formation of new districts like Gajapati, Rayagada, and Deogarh in the 1990s.

Technological and strategic modernization also took center stage. The modernization grant, introduced in 1969-70 by the Centre, facilitated procurement of wireless systems, scientific tools, and mobility assets. Simultaneously, the Home Guards and Fire Services gained autonomy and separate leadership in the 1980s.

Among the most colorful episodes in Odisha Police history was the 1979 constabulary agitation led by Latifur Rahaman. Despite internal turmoil, the police emerged stronger, reaffirming their commitment to public service.

Today, Odisha Police stands as a people-centric force — evolved, resilient, and rooted in a legacy that spans millennia. From Rakhshimaahs and Atabika guards to GPS-enabled patrols and digital forensic labs, it is a force shaped by history but driven by the future.