Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb 16: City police are yet to make a headway into the Rs 32 lakh cash loot incident at Bistupur after two days of the crime.
Sources said the police were looking for both new and old criminals to get a clue into the loot incident. The investigation is on in full swing, said an official.
The sensational loot took place in broad daylight at the entry gate of Gajran Mansion in Bistupur. Armed criminals had looted the cash from two staff of Chhaganlal Dayaljee Sons on Monday last when they were just about to enter the building to deposit cash at the Canara Bank branch. After injuring the two staff, the criminals snatched the bag of cash from their hands and decamped before the victims could raise an alarm.
The incident created a furore among the citizens including the business community who blamed police slackness for the deteriorating law and order situation. Local political parties too, criticized the police for failing to create a safe environment for the citizens. Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) members have given a 72 hour ultimatum to city police to nab the looters and recover the looted cash.
City police have set up a special investigation team (SIT) to detect the loot. Several senior and experienced cops are jointly investigating the crime. Department sources said police were working on several leads and claimed the culprits would soon be in police net.
Sources said police had recovered a helmet worn by one of the two criminals after the incident. The criminals had escaped via the main road leading to G Town Club at Bistupur. The helmet was found lying on the road, sources said.
Police are looking for evidence to identify the looters such as CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. But on the day of loot, the CCTV cameras of the building housing the bank were reportedly not working. All this has made the loot case a hard nut to crack for the city police.
Meanwhile, sources said police in the neighbouring district of Seraikela-Kharsawan have sprung to action after the loot incident. Taking precautionary measures, cops are now reviewing security preparedness of all banks in the district. A report on installment and efficacy of CCTV cameras installed in the banks is being prepared by all police stations across the district, sources said.
Chamber president Vijay Anand Moonka said a meeting would be convened at the end of 72 hours ultimatum given to police. The course of agitation would be decided in the meeting unanimously by all traders of the city, he said.
SCCI secretary (trade and commerce) Anil Modi said, “Rising incidents of theft and loot bring a bad name to the city. The law and order situation has worsened of late. Police should spring to action on preventing crimes instead of focusing their strength on helmet and seat belt checking. The Rs 32 lakh loot is an eye opener for the department. It is the duty of police to provide a safe environment to one and all.”
