Cases of loot and snatching cash at gun-point are on the rise continuously with the police unable to get any breakthrough. The residents, especially the traders, are gripped with fear.
There have been several cases like on Monday afternoon three bike-borne criminals intercepted a scooter rider near the Railway Hospital in Khasmahal and snatched the scooter. In the scooter belonging to Krishna Kumar Chaudhury was Rs 1.7 lakh that the victim who was a staff of a Sundarnagar-based flour mill was carrying after collection from the Bistupur and Jugsalai. The criminals had trained a gun at Chaudhury (40) and had fled after the loot. The police though succeeded to recovered the scooter, but the cash was missing.
Earlier on Sunday late night, three bike-borne criminals stopped the bike of an onion trader line No 9 in Sakchi. One of the criminals trained a gun at the trader, identified as Rajendra Prasad, a resident of Kashidih and snatched away his bag which contained Rs 60,000.
The police have not been able to trace the remaining two criminals even after one of them was taken into police custody.
Earlier further on Thursday evening, three bike-borne criminals had intercepted the bike of cashier of an industrial unit and looted Rs 2.26 lakh that the victim was carrying on Burmamines-Sakchi Road in Burmamines. The victim, Shushil Haripal (42) was carrying the money for making labour payment for a construction work going on at IS&WP Company in Tinplate.The victim had to give in as he was hit by a pistol butt by one of the three looters.Apart from these major incidents of loot on the streets, the incidents like snatching of cellphone and cash at various parts of the city has become regular.
"There has been a spurt in petty crimes in the city. We have been successful in arresting quite a few thieves involved in the reported cases but I think there is a need to ensure proper night watch. We are planning to increase the movement of mobile police and vigil," noted a police official.
He went on to add that maximum cases of thefts have been reported from Bistupur, Sakchi and Golmuri areas this year. The police would increase vigil in these areas.