The Odisha Police has intensified their crackdown on theft and pickpocketing during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri and arrested 103 people on snatching charges and recovered 203 mobile phones as part of a special anti-snatching operation. The recovered phones will be returned to their owners once legal procedures are completed, officials said.
The initiative, along with the security arrangements for the annual festival, is to protect lakhs of pilgrims and tourists visiting Puri to attend one of India’s largest religious occasions.
Special Anti-Snatching Operation During Rath Yatra
Police officials said the anti-snatching drive was planned well in advance, taking into account the rise in theft and pickpocketing complaints reported during previous editions of the Rath Yatra.
Apart from routine law and order duties, teams were assigned to identify and apprehend individuals involved in mobile phone thefts, chain snatching and other petty crimes.
The operation has so far resulted in 103 accused being arrested, while 203 stolen mobile phones have been recovered from their possession.
The recovered devices will be given back to the owners after the legal verification process has been completed, they said.
Security in Key Locations
To prevent criminal activities during the festival, police deployed personnel at some high-footfall locations in Puri.
The security was tighter along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), around the Jagannath Temple, Puri beach, bus stand, railway station and the main parking areas. Police officers at different police stations and the anti-snatching squad are helping to maintain security at the festival in shifts around the clock.
Continuous surveillance has been a crucial part of detecting suspicious activity and preventing thefts before they have even occurred, they said. Police said that the success of the operation was related to surveillance of the CCTV system, intelligence gathering and modern investigative methods.
Surveillance cameras provided the evidence to identify suspects in crowds moving through crowded areas and they could be arrested quickly, officials said. A special focus was also put on monitoring suspicious individuals in areas with a high number of pilgrims moving around.
More than 200 mobile phones were recovered, which has not only allowed police to reunite victims with their belongings but has also improved evidence against those arrested. The response has sent a very strong message to habitual offenders targeting pilgrims during large public events, officials said.
Pilgrims were advised to remain vigilant.
Even so, the police have warned devotees and tourists to be cautious when attending the Rath Yatra. Visitors should keep a close eye on their phones, wallets, handbags and jewellery in busy areas where pickpockets are prevalent, officials said.
The anti-snatching drive will continue after the Rath Yatra and enforcement will be intensified against repeat offenders. Police reiterated that the safety and security of pilgrims is their number one priority.
Festival Witnesses Medical Emergency
The security operation comes as authorities also dealt with a medical emergency during the Rath Yatra.
A 35-year-old devotee from Cuttack district, Anil Das, died of suspected suffocation in front of Bada Danda while waiting for the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to be pulled.
He was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Several other devotees were also injured in the huge crowds and were provided immediate medical care by emergency response teams.
Police, disaster response workers and health officials continue to monitor the crowd and safety arrangements as thousands of devotees pour into the city to participate in the world-famous festival.
The ongoing anti-snatching operation and enhanced crowd management measures reflect the administration’s dedication to ensuring that devotees can enjoy the Rath Yatra safely with limited theft, crime, and other issues during one of India’s biggest religious celebrations.
