Khurda: Criminals are having a field day as reports of robbery on the national highway-16 (Kolkata-Chennai) are piling up.
According to sources, more than 10 incidents of robberies on the highway have been reported within the past two months. It was alleged that lack of police patrolling on the highways has resulted in a surfeit of loot incidents. The citizens have urged the police to deploy a special squad to keep vigil on the activities on the highway.
Sources said miscreants are on the prowl on Pitamahal-Badakula stretch as they intercept the motorcyclists before decamping with cash and valuables from them at gunpoint.
Earlier, as per the direction of Khurda superintendent of police, two special squads from Balugaon sub-division police and district headquarters police were formed in this regard. The squad busted an inter-state robbers’ gang operating on the highway and arrested five of its members November 10.
It was alleged that the complacency of the cops after busting the robbers’ gang and lack of patrolling have resulted in increase in number of robbery incidents. It was learnt that the miscreants are looting commuters at deserted places on the stretch of the national highway. According to reports, the robbers are actively operating on the bordering areas of Khurda and Nayagarh district.
PNN
