DHENKANAL: A surge in crime rate has been witnessed in the district ahead of the panchayat elections throwing a big challenge to the police administration.
On Tuesday, incidents of dacoity and thefts were reported at four places of the district while the district police is yet to nab the culprits in connection with Odisha Gramya Bank dacoity, Beltikiri SBI loot attempt and Bhuban Gramya Bank dacoity.
Two miscreants on Tuesday attacked one Debasmita Sahoo and snatched her gold ornaments at gunpoint near a school here. An FIR has been lodged at Town police station.
In another incident, miscreants looted Rs 54,000 from one Suresh Bhuyan while he was going towards the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Similarly, a group of miscreants on Tuesday barged into a garment shop and looted Rs 6,000 and several sarees at Kamakshyanagar. The owner of the shop, Ashok Mohanty, has lodged an FIR in this connection.
One Narayan Parida become a victim of cyber crime and Rs 71,000 was withdrawn from his account recently. A case has been registered with Cyber police, Bhubaneswar.
Two months ago, a group of miscreants had looted Rs 1.75 crore from Odisha Gramya Bank, Dhenkanal. Police are yet to arrest the accused in these cases. The SP said investigation is on and police will arrest them soon.