Both residents and commuters along the Banka Khajuri-Pagani stretch on the Salt Road now feel insecure as looting incidents are on the rise.
The Salt Road, which runs from Baleswar town to Basudevpur via Rasalpur, was constructed during the Salt Movement and hence named so.
A group of locals recently appraised the district administration about the rising loot incidences there. They warned to take to the streets if necessary steps are not taken to stop anti-social activities there.
The group also informed the administration that two liquor shops operating along the road-stretch are only adding to the problem.
Citing an example, they said a couple, along with their minor daughter, was looted at Patangi on May 3 at 10.30 pm while they were returning by a motorbike to their village Sasang from Baleswar.
Some miscreants robbed them of gold ornaments and cash near Paganai brandishing knife. Seven such incidents have occurred in a couple of months.
The Salt Road connects Rasalpur, Jaydevkasaba, Inchudi, Gopalpur, Dhamra and Basudevpur as major places. About 10,000 people of Baleswar district use this road daily.
Although there are two police outposts, one near Jaydevkasaba and another near Gopalpur, yet they are proving insufficient to tackle the menace.
The residents have also demanded that another police outpostthere and strict police patrolling during night hours.