Crime surge rattles Bhubaneswar’s calm, leaves residents on edge

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is experiencing a surge in crime that has left residents increasingly anxious for their safety. Reports of burglaries and assaults have become alarmingly frequent, disrupting the city's otherwise calm environment.

Also Read: Youth critically injured in murderous attack in Bhubaneswar

From bustling areas to secluded lanes, the sense of security among citizens is being rapidly undermined.

Despite intensified security efforts, the city continues to grapple with incidents of theft, robbery, and even murder, posing a significant challenge to the local police force in maintaining law and order.

The brazen nature of these crimes has heightened concern, with attacks occurring at an unsettling rate.

Are local denizens safe?

A particularly upsetting incident involved Chakeisiani resident Rudra Patra, who was brutally assaulted by a gang of multiple attackers, leaving him critically injured. It is said that past enmity is the reason behind this crime, leaving Patra in a life-threatening condition.

The pattern of crime in Bhubaneswar mirrors broader anxieties, with incidents spanning assaults on bouncers to the shocking daylight killing of cleaning supervisor, Sahadev Nayak, on Rasulgarh flyover. Such occurrences have left the community deeply disturbed and raised questions about the effectiveness of current security measures.

In a separate case, at least 13 suspects have been arrested concerning a shooting at a bar in Chandrasekharpur, yet the primary suspect remains at large. At around 4.00 AM on May 9, miscreants opened fire on a bouncer in front of a bar located under Chandrasekharpur police limits. Although police have arrested so many persons in connection with the case, the mastermind, Siba Patra from Puri, is still absconding.

Another notable incident saw a person identified as Vicky Nayak attacked near the airport police station, underscoring that violence is becoming a worrying norm in the city. In the Airport police station area, miscreants surrounded and attacked Vicky Nayak on May 11.

Later in the evening, some miscreants struck Satyabrata Pradhan’s hand and snatched his belongings away in the Unit-8 locality.
Even if blatant crimes are ignored, then, some other violence is occurring in the city almost every day. The residents of Bhubaneswar are now outraged over this.

The public's frustration grows over the perceived inefficacy of the Commissionerate Police in stemming this alarming rise in crime. The local police slogan 'We Care, We Dare' seems increasingly inadequate in addressing the reality on Bhubaneswar's streets.

Must Read: Sahadev Nayak murder in Bhubaneswar: Blood samples sent for DNA test

As the city faces cases like the recent burglary in Kalinga Vihar, the call for more effective policing becomes ever more pressing.

Questions loom large: Why is crime escalating, and what steps are being taken to arrest this trend?

No comments were received from the Commissionerate Police in this regard.