Unsafe Bhubaneswar: Woman vendor robbed, man stabbed in separate incidents

Two separate incidents of loot and stabbing in Bhubaneswar within a span of 24 hours have once again brought into focus the rising crime graph in the capital city and raised a question on the safety and security of the residents.

A woman vegetable vendor was allegedly robbed of valuables on Golei Chhak overbridge in Jharpada area in the wee hours of Saturday. 

Lalita Jena, who lives in Haldi Padia slum and ekes out a living by selling vegetables at Ganesh Mandap market, said she was waylaid by six miscreants at around 3 am when she was on her way to procure vegetables from the Unit 4 market. 
The miscreants held her at knifepoint and snatched away cash, mobile phone and debit card from her. 

“As the miscreants waylaid me on the over bridge, I screamed for help. Two havildars brought back my scooter which the robbers had left midway. My purse contained Rs 8000 cash, ATM card, PAN card and other receipts,” the vendor said while breaking down in tears. 

“Vendors like me go to market to bring vegetables in wee hours  on a regular basis. But the overbridges in the city have become very unsafe,” she added. 

In another incident, a man was injured after allegedly being stabbed by a person over suspected past rivalry at Kadalibasti under Laxmisagar police limits in the city on Friday night.

Laxmi Sagar police have detained one Aditya for attacking Sheikh Abdul with knife and further investigation in connection with the incident is underway.