Bhubaneswar: While families and friends celebrated the recently concluded Durga Puja in Odisha’s capital, city police remained vigilant against property crimes such as pickpocketing, chain snatching, and mobile theft perpetrated by organized gangs.

To curb theft in the midst of large crowds at prominent Puja mandaps and mela grounds, the Bhubaneswar police launched comprehensive surveillance and anti-crime initiatives throughout the city.

This proactive approach led to the apprehension of nine members from a Banjara gang, which included five women, as well as the detention of five juveniles. Authorities also recovered stolen mobile phones, a gold chain, and various other valuables.

Plainclothes Officers at Puja Events

In anticipation of large crowds during the festivities, around 100 police personnel were deployed in plain clothes at key Durga Puja locations, including Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli, Baramunda, Rasulgarh, Jharpada, Unit-I, and Bomikhal.

These officers monitored the activities of suspected criminals and maintained a watchful eye on organized gangs known for property crimes. Special attention was given to suspected members of Banjara gangs, including female offenders and juveniles believed to be operating from neighboring states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Uniformed police also remained visible at pandals and mela grounds during the evening hours, with enhanced patrolling across the city to prevent residential burglaries in areas where homes were likely unoccupied.

Public Awareness Initiatives

To keep visitors informed, police frequently utilized public-address systems to remind people to be vigilant against theft and to protect their belongings in crowded environments.

Individuals exhibiting suspicious behavior near major gathering spots were subjected to verification checks as part of the preventative strategy.

Gang Members Arrested and Juveniles Detained

A police report stated that the operation resulted in the arrest of four male and five female members of the Banjara gang.

The suspects were forwarded to court regarding six different cases registered at Nayapalli, Khandagiri, Mancheswar, Saheed Nagar, Lingaraj, and Laxmisagar police stations.

In addition, five juveniles associated with the gang were detained and placed in a short-stay home following legal protocols.

Authorities also detained 17 additional suspected offenders in various police station areas for further verification.

Recovered Stolen Items

During the operation, police recovered 22 stolen mobile phones, one gold chain, and one tablet.

These recovered items were returned to their rightful owners.

Additionally, police seized sharp blades that were allegedly used by offenders for cutting bags and executing pickpocketing in busy areas.

Successful Prevention of Property Crimes

According to law enforcement, the combination of proactive surveillance, plainclothes officer deployment, increased patrolling, and public awareness efforts contributed to minimizing property crimes during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.

This successful operation underscores the city’s commitment to proactive policing to ensure safety and security during large public events, police stated.