Theft, burglary cases worry Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh locals

Tribune News Service[1] Ambika Sharma Solan, April 10

Increasing thefts and burglaries have become a cause for concern for the residents of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt, which houses a large migrant population. In all, 38% of theft and 33.7% burglary cases have remained unsolved since 2021. A majority of these crimes took place in broad daylight when people were out for work and their houses were vacant.

An analysis of the modus operandi of these crimes reveals that the miscreants target such houses after conducting a thorough recce. A large number of inter-state gangs as well as migrants working in various industrial units were found to be the culprits in many cases. The porous border further helps the inter-state gangs in engaging in such activities.

Though several cases have been solved with the help of an exhaustive network of CCTV cameras installed in the BBN belt, these crimes remain a major challenge for the police. Data secured from the Police Department reveals that 63 thefts took place in the area in 2021.

Fortyfour of these cases have been solved while 19 were unsolved. In 2022, the number of theft cases registered in the BBN belt rose to 67 while the number of cases solved declined to 36. In the current year, 17 theft cases have already been registered.

Of these, six were yet to be solved. The percentage of stolen property that was recovered in these years has also seen a decline. As compared to 83.05 per cent recovery of stolen property in 2021, 71.21 per cent property could be recovered in 2022.

Baddi DSP Priyank Gupta said day and night patrolling was underway in the entire BBN belt and quick reaction teams were also pressed into service. "Cases of theft and burglary have declined in the vulnerable Nalagarh area in the recent months after these additional efforts. Police presence has been enhanced and foot patrolling started to cover residential areas during the night," added Gupta.

Given the large number of criminal cases, the officials have been demanding setting up of an organised crime control unit with expertise to handle such cases.

References

  1. ^ Tribune News Service (www.tribuneindia.com)

Tags: