Bhubaneswar: While people were out enjoying the just-concluded Durga Puja festivities with their families and friends in the Odisha capital, city police were on their toes keeping vigil against property offences such as pickpocketing, chain snatching and mobile theft by organised gangs.
To prevent thefts amid heavy crowds at major Puja mandaps and mela grounds, Bhubaneswar police launched extensive surveillance and anti-crime operations across the city.
The proactive policing drive led to the arrest of nine members of a Banjara gang, including five women, detention of five juveniles, and recovery of stolen mobile phones, a gold chain and other valuables.
Plainclothes Watch at Puja Mandaps
Anticipating large gatherings during the festive season, Bhubaneswar police deployed around 100 personnel in plain clothes at key Durga Puja venues, including in Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli, Baramunda, Rasulgarh, Jharpada, Unit-I and Bomikhal.
The officers monitored the movement of suspected criminals and maintained surveillance on organised gangs known for carrying out property-related offences. Attention was given to suspected members of Banjara gangs, female offenders and juveniles, particularly those believed to be operating from states such as Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
Also, police personnel in uniform remained active at pandals and mela grounds from the evening onwards, while city-wide patrolling was intensified to prevent house burglaries in residential areas where homes were likely to be vacant.
Awareness Drive to Prevent Theft
To alert visitors, police regularly made announcements through public-address systems, advising people to remain vigilant against theft and safeguard their belongings in crowded places.
Individuals found moving suspiciously in and around major congregation points were subjected to verification and checks as part of the preventive measures.
Gang Members Arrested, Five Juveniles Detained
According to a police release, the crackdown resulted in the arrest of four male and five female members of an active Banjara gang.
The accused were forwarded to court in connection with six cases registered at Nayapalli, Khandagiri, Mancheswar, Saheed Nagar, Lingaraj and Laxmisagar police stations.
Five juveniles in conflict with the law, also linked to the gang, were detained and sent to a short-stay home following the prescribed legal procedures.
Apart from the arrests, police detained 17 suspected offenders at different police station areas for verification.
Stolen Mobiles, Gold Chain Recovered
During the operation, police recovered. These included 22 stolen mobile phones, one gold chain and one tablet.
The recovered items were subsequently returned to their rightful owners.
Police also seized sharp blades allegedly used by offenders to cut bags and carry out pickpocketing in crowded areas.
Property Crime Free Festivities
According to police, the combination of preventive surveillance, plainclothes deployment, intensified patrolling and public awareness measures helped keep incidents of property offences to a minimum during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.
The successful operation highlights the city’s focus on proactive policing to ensure safety and security during large-scale public events, policed said.
