Police Encounter / Ganjam’s Notorious Criminal Kalia Injured in Odisha Police Encounter

Ganjam, Jul 24: A police encounter unfolded in Ganjam district when notorious criminal Ghanshyam Behera, popularly known as Kalia, was injured during a shootout with police.

The incident occurred under Purushottampur police limits, near the Kinari-Chunchipada jungle road in Kodala area.

Kalia, who was wanted in multiple cases of dacoity and loot, was being tracked by a police team led by Purushottampur IIC Kulamani Sethi.

Also read: Odisha Police Crack Robbery and Kidnapping Case in 12 Hours, Arrest Four Following Encounter

Acting on a tip-off, police chased Kalia and his associate while they were traveling on a motorcycle. According to reports, the accused hurled bombs and opened fire at the police team in an attempt to escape. Exercising the right to self-defence, IIC Sethi retaliated with gunfire, injuring Kalia in his right leg.

The injured criminal was first taken to Kodala Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced care. His associate managed to flee during the encounter, and police have launched a manhunt to nab him.

Police sources confirmed that Kalia had a long criminal history, with several pending cases of robbery and violent crimes across Ganjam district. His notoriety had made him one of the most wanted criminals in the region. The encounter has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in curbing organized crime in southern Odisha.

This incident adds to a series of police encounters in Odisha in recent years, where hardened criminals have been neutralized or arrested following violent resistance.

In 2025, police encounters in districts like Balasore and Khordha had similarly led to the arrest of notorious gangsters involved in extortion and armed robbery.

Authorities maintain that such encounters are carried out strictly in self-defence when criminals attack law enforcement officers.

The investigation into the Ganjam encounter is ongoing, with police verifying the weapons used and tracing Kalia’s network of associates.