Bhubaneswar: As the festive season approaches, a surge in looting activities has been reported in Odisha, raising concerns about public safety. Various locations in the capital city of Bhubaneswar have seen incidents of burglary and daytime robberies.

Reports indicate that small gangs of thieves are instilling fear among residents, with multiple cases surfacing across different police jurisdiction areas. Surveillance footage has captured the movements of these looters, prompting police to develop a comprehensive strategy to apprehend the suspects.

Authorities are currently verifying lists of known criminals at police stations to locate and detain professional offenders. Those with outstanding warrants are being targeted for arrest in various locations. Police have issued stringent orders to swiftly detain anyone causing unrest in slums and public areas.

Senior officials have called for an increase in patrols by the Police Control Room (PCR). A specialized operation has been launched to monitor criminal activities through nighttime roadblocks and checks.

Criminal activities tend to escalate as festivals approach, with offenders exploiting the busyness and holiday atmosphere to commit thefts. While the community is urged to remain alert, law enforcement is also ramping up proactive measures to combat these crimes.