Bhubaneswar: With the festive season approaching, Odisha police has directed all superintendents of police (SPs) to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against forcible collection of ‘chanda’ (subscription), warning of strict legal action against anyone using religious festivities as a pretext for extortion.Odisha DGP (in charge) Vinaytosh Mishra said on Monday that all police stations across the state have been instructed to prevent coercive fundraising proactively and promptly register cases against violators. “Forced collection of ‘chanda’ is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. All police stations have been directed to take immediate action wherever such incidents are reported. Citizens should come forward and inform the police without hesitation,” Mishra said.Senior police officers said district police chiefs have been advised to form special anti-extortion teams and intensify surveillance in vulnerable areas, particularly highways, busy marketplaces, commercial hubs, transport routes and tourist destinations where complaints of coercive collection are commonly reported during Ganesh Puja, Dussehra, Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja celebrations.Police sources said organisers collecting donations voluntarily and with consent have nothing to fear, but any form of intimidation, obstruction of vehicles, threats or coercion in the name of festivals would invite stringent action.The move comes in response to recurring complaints from residents, traders and transport operators, who allege they are often targeted by self-styled volunteers demanding donations. “We bear the brunt during the festive season. Groups stop our buses on highways and demand money from drivers and staff. There have been instances where our employees were abused and even assaulted for refusing to pay,” said Debendra Sahoo, a functionary of Odisha Private Bus Operators Association.IGP (southern range) J N Pankaj said it had been made clear that any forcible demand for money will be treated as an act of extortion.Akhilesvar Singh, DIG (south western range), instructed the SPs concerned to intensify action against criminals through a special enforcement drive.In Puri, a major tourist destination that witnesses a surge in visitors during festivals, SP Prateek Singh said special vigilance has been put in place. “People should not be afraid of chanda collectors. Informers’ identities will be kept strictly confidential. We appeal to citizens and tourists to immediately call 112 or report at the nearest police station any attempt at forced donation collection,” Singh said, adding additional deployment and monitoring measures have been planned to ensure that tourists and locals are not harassed.