FOUR SENSATIONAL dacoities and a robbery at Bilkhiria - all within a month have shocked citizens who cannot ever remember such a spate of dacoities in Bhopal.
Armed dacoities have been rare in Bhopal. So rare that just one such incident was recoded in the entire 2002 and the figure was same even the next year (2003).
In 2004, two dacoities were reported and though the entire last year (2005) witnessed five dacoities, this year dacoits have wreaked havoc within a month.
The fact that the gang has acted with impunity in all corners of the Capital—Ayodhya Nagar, Shahpura, Idgah Hills and Bairagarh Township has caused fear and anxiety amongst residents especially in colonies on the outskirts.
The police claim to have laid hands on some clues and has sent teams to Guna, Shajapur, Sehore and other districts, and also other states also but success has eluded them and dacoits have managed to strike at will.
Gang members have avoided bloodshed and have been respectful unlike criminal tribes who usually beat up their victims. However, the police are yet to identify the gang. Meanwhile, IG Sanjeev Kumar Singh has urged citizens to assist police and coordinate with local beat policemen.
He suggested residents in colonies should also keep an eye on their surroundings and move around in groups at night for sometime with the police. Officials are hopeful that the gang will be arrested soon.
He suggested residents in colonies should also keep an eye on their surroundings and move around in groups at night for sometime with the police. Officials are hopeful that the gang will be arrested soon.