Police Arrest 103 Alleged Mobile Snatchers During Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar : Puri Police arrested 103 snatchers and recovered 203 stolen mobile phones during a special anti-snatching campaign launched in the pilgrim town during the ongoing annual Rath Yatra, officials said on Saturday.

The crackdown was launched after thousands of devotees flocked to Puri to witness Lord Jagannath’s world-famous chariot festival, following complaints of mobile phone theft and pickpocketing.

Police said that the recovered mobile phones will be returned to their rightful owners after the necessary legal procedures are completed.

The special operation was carried out jointly by personnel from various police stations, special anti-extortion teams and plainclothes police officers deployed across the town.

As part of elaborate security arrangements for the nine-day festival, police kept heavy vigil at important places including Bada Danda (Grand Road), Jagannath Temple area, Puri sea beach, bus stand, railway station, parking areas and other crowded public places.

Surveillance has been strengthened through an extensive CCTV camera network, technological monitoring systems and intelligence inputs to detect and track suspected criminals, officials said.

The coordinated operation enabled police to detect suspicious activity in real time and quickly apprehend the accused, officials said.

Puri witnessed an unprecedented influx of pilgrims during this year’s Rath Yatra, prompting authorities to introduce multi-layered security measures to ensure the safety of devotees and maintain law and order during the festival.