26 Held Over Loot Of Gold Chains, Other Valuables At Durga Puja Pandals In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of loot of gold chains and other valuables at Durga Puja pandals in Bhubaneswar, the Commissionerate Police has intensified the crackdown on suspected criminal elements.

After stepping up patrolling at different Durga Puja pandals located in Saheed Nagar, Khandagiri, Mancheswar, Nayapalli and Laxmisagar areas of the city, the police have detained at least 26 persons suspected to be involved in loot incidents.

Those detained include five women, police said, adding that altogether eight mobile phones and Rs 7000 cash have been seized from their possession. Further investigation is in progress.

Notably, miscreants took advantage of the huge crowd at puja mandaps on the occasion of Maha Ashtami on Sunday and committed the loot.

While several gold chains were looted from women devotees at Bomikhal Durga puja mandap, other valuables including mobile phones and wallets were stolen from as many as 30 people in the state capital and outskirts of the city on Sunday.

Despite elaborate security arrangements made by the Commissionerate Police for Dussehra festival, miscreants looted gold chains and other valuables taking advantage of heavy rush at mandaps.

Apart from questioning the detained people, the police are taking steps on the basis of information gathered from CCTV footages. Further probe is underway.