Bhubaneswar : As robbers continue to wreak havoc in the capital city, the commissionerate police have decided to zero in on some habitual offenders, who were freed from the jail during the government’s special drive to decongest prisons after the Covid-19 outbreak.
At least 40 notorious anti-socials, mostly snatchers, thieves and burglars were released on bail between April and July so far. “We have started tracking their whereabouts and movements. Possible involvements of some of them in recent spate of snatching cases cannot be ruled outs. They are under watch and would be questioned,” a senior police officer said.
The city police that are already under pressure to enforce Covid-related regulations during the lockdown have been faced with the dual challenge from snatchers and robbers, who are on the prowl since the past few days. At least 20 incidents of snatching of mobile phones, purses and bikes have been reported in the last two weeks.
Brazen loot of jewellery from a lady deputy superintendent of police from her home in Kharavel Nagar area and brutal assault on a 70-year-old woman by robbers inside her home in Nayapalli area on Sunday raise questions on the efficacy of the police. Police have not yet made any headway in both the cases. Police were trying to get clues about the real accused from other criminal gangs.
“We have launched a manhunt to trace some gangs, whose members were earlier involved in similar modus operandi. Citizens are requested to share information about suspects in their localities with the police,” the officer added.
Experts said the deserted roads during the lockdown and current restrictions on arrests of persons involved in petty cases like theft and snatching might have bolstered the intent of anti-socials to commit offences. “Recently, a high-powered committee of the Orissa high court asked the police not to arrest people in petty offences as more arrests would overcrowded prisons during the Covid pandemic. During the lockdown, only the emergency service providers are being allowed to move out on streets. Since the movement of people and traffic is less these days, criminals are out to take advantage,” said Sidharth Das, a senior lawyer.
Police said patrolling has been intensified. “We are working on some leads to detect the recent snatching and loot cases. Police stations have been asked to conduct regular patrolling, especially in the night,” deputy commissioner of police Umashankar Dash said.