In 21 days, miscreants targeted 10 apartments in Bhubaneswar and looted ornaments and cash to the tune of crores, throwing an open challenge to the Commissionerate Police.
Despite frequent police patrolling, police stations in each zone, and security measures in place, miscreants are having a field day during this festive season. No one can deny it if they consider the past incidents of burglaries.
On October 14, burglars broke into two flats of MJ Wood Apartment in Andharua area under Chandaka Police limits and decamped with ornaments worth over Rs 5 lakhs.
Similarly, on October 16, burglars targeted four flats of Rajabatika Apartment near Infocity Police Station and fled with cash and ornaments worth crores.
Likewise, on November 4, miscreants struck three flats of Shreekshetra Apartment and looted cash and gold items worth over Rs 50 lakhs.
With miscreants targeting 10 apartments in the last 21 days and the police not being able to catch them has raised questions about the safety of city dwellers.
“Whenever we go out, a kind of fear keeps gripping us. We are not sure if our valuables are safe,” said Swarnalata Choudhury, an apartment dweller.
Also read: Bhubaneswar bars, nightclubs openly flouting norms; Commissionerate Police vows action
On the other hand, Police Commissioner Soumendra Praiyadarshi appealed to the citizens that they should not reveal their outing plans on social media platforms as miscreants are keeping track of such social media posts before striking a house or flat.
“Whenever you go out on a long vacation, you should make sure that you have locked your house properly. You also need to inform your immediate neighbour to keep a watch on your flat,” advised Priyadarshi.
“Do not share your travel plan on social media platforms. It will be easier for someone to know that a family is out in Himachal Pradesh for the next five days. As the city is growing leaps and bounds, it is a difficult task for the police to keep surveillance on the entire city,” the Commissioner added.
The Police Commissioner’s suggestion did not go down well with the city dwellers.
“That the thieves are tracking us through social media posts is not acceptable. They are not following us on social media. I think they are keeping a close watch on our day-to-day activities,” said Sasmita Pattanayak, an apartment dweller.