4,000-kg explosives theft in Odisha: NIA chargesheets 11 for alleged Maoist conspiracy

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted 11 individuals in connection with the loot of approximately 4,000 kg of explosives from a vehicle in Odisha's Rourkela district in May this year.

In its statement, the agency said the accused had been booked under the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act after they were found "to have been actively involved in the criminal conspiracy, planning and execution of the loot of around 200 explosive packets, each containing 20 kg of explosives."

According to the agency, the explosives were being transported from the Itma Explosive Station to the Banko stone quarry on May 27, when a group of 10- 15 armed Maoists intercepted the vehicle, abducted the driver and seized the consignment.


"The vehicle, along with its driver, had been forcibly seized by 10-15 armed Maoists and was being taken to a stronghold of the terrorist organisation in the nearby jungle," the NIA said.

The NIA, which took over the case in June, said its probe revealed that the huge cache was looted "for use against the government machinery, including police and security forces, through the commission of terror acts."

It added that the loot "was part of a conspiracy of CPI (Maoist) to disturb the nation's security and stability."