Crime in Odisha / Chain‑Snatching, Temple Loot Rock Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Aug 26: Residents of Bhubaneswar are gripped by fear as chain‑snatching and temple theft incidents continue to plague the city, exposing lapses in Commissionerate Police’s security measures.

Within just 12 hours, two major loot cases have been reported, raising alarm among locals.

On Wednesday morning, in the Badagada police station area, a woman was offering prayers outside her home when two miscreants on a scooter struck. One jumped off the vehicle, snatched the gold chain from behind, and fled with his accomplice waiting on the scooter.

Also read: Food Safety Raids ahead of Raksha Bandhan in Odisha

The incident was captured on CCTV, which shows the snatcher grabbing the chain while the other kept the scooter ready for a quick escape.

Later the same night, miscreants targeted Nikunj Bihari temple under Balianta police station. They broke open the donation box and fled with all the cash.

The theft was discovered by the temple priest the next morning, who immediately informed police. Investigations are underway in both cases, with officers analyzing CCTV footage and intensifying patrols.

These incidents follow a series of similar crimes. On August 18, near AIIMS, a woman was robbed of her mangalsutra at gunpoint. Police later arrested the armed looter Rinku Khan, along with the main accused Manish from Patrapada, recovering the stolen ornaments and seizing a Pulsar bike used in the crime. A jeweller, Prakash Sahoo of Rajsunakhala, was also arrested for purchasing the stolen gold.

Despite these arrests, the recurrence of chain‑snatching and temple loot cases has left residents anxious. Locals allege that inadequate patrolling has emboldened criminals, who strike both day and night. Police have promised stricter surveillance and swift action against offenders.