In a bid to curb the activities of extortionists, the Comissionerate police have launched a drive ahead of the Durga Puja here.
As part of the drive, the Lingaraj police arrested a criminal involved in different extortion cases. The accused was identified as Debashis Mahapatra alias Viku of Kapileswar in the city.
Police sources said that Viku has 16 cases lodged against him at different police stations in the city. He was also wanted in a dacoity case.
Notably, recently extortionists had hurled country made bombs at a bar in Cuttack Road under the Laxmisagar police station in the city.
The miscreants had called up the bar owner and demanded money. But when he didn’t pay them, they hurled bombs to scare him.
He said though he was targeted, the message was also intended for other businessmen in the area that either you pay or else you have face the consequences.
