The festive rush has barely begun, but the city’s busiest arrival point is already on a looters’ map.
In two separate cases over the past few days, Commissionerate Police have arrested five men accused of targeting passengers and ATM users around Bhubaneswar railway station — forcing some into gambling, luring others into isolated stretches with a cheap auto ride, and then flashing weapons to strip them of cash. Kharvelnagar and Sahidnagar police have produced the accused in court. Hunt for remaining members continues.
Commissionerate sources say the pattern is familiar and seasonal: watch the station and nearby ATMs, pick people withdrawing large sums or arriving late with luggage, then move them away from cameras and crowds.
The gambling trap near Master Canteen
Kharvelnagar police say one gang operated around Master Canteen and ATMs close to the railway station. Members allegedly marked people who withdrew big amounts, then pressured them to sit for a game of chance. Those who refused were threatened, assaulted and robbed. In some cases, intimidation alone was enough.
A surprise raid netted three alleged members: Sheikh Nizamuddin, Biju Behera and Sajjad Khan. Police say other associates are still absconding and that the group was active in the crowded station precinct.
The “lift” that ended under a bridge
Sahidnagar police, acting on a separate complaint, raided Bayababa Slum and arrested two men. Two more suspects in that case remain at large, officers said.
The sharper, more cinematic case is dated the night of September 9. A passenger arriving from Mumbai took an auto from the station, expecting to be dropped at Vani Vihar. Instead, police say, the driver and accomplices diverted him under the Satsang Vihar bridge, showed a sword and knife, and looted Rs 21,000. Four men are alleged to have taken part. Police have named Santosh Maharana and Kunal Mallik among those arrested; the auto driver and another accomplice are still being hunted. Officers added that two accused in the episode had already been picked up earlier, and that four alleged looters in the case are now in custody.
The headline tally from the two current operations: five arrests, two police stations, one clear warning that the station belt is being watched more tightly as Ganesh Puja approaches.
“Report Forced Donation”
Twin City Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh has used the same moment to send a public message: if anyone is forcing donations or collecting “bati” ahead of the festival, inform the police. He has reviewed festive preparedness and told senior officers and puja committees to keep antisocial elements under watch.
Security numbers tell the scale of the plan. 48 platoons have been earmarked for the twin cities — 30 in Bhubaneswar and 18 in Kataka. About 420 tableaux are expected in Bhubaneswar and Jatani combined. Police have stressed orderly darshan, traffic control, CCTV and volunteer management at pandals, deployment of women police, PCR alerts on known offenders, and an active HER team for women’s safety. Seven sites have been identified for immersion, with visarjan fixed over three notified days.
No DJ, no fireworks during idol immersion
Festival rules this year are blunt. DJs will not play at Ganesh Puja. Crackers will not be burst during immersion. Melody and programmes must end by 10 pm. Special security has also been arranged for Jatani.
For passengers, the police story is simpler than the guideline list: do not flash large amounts of cash at station ATMs, do not accept a “cheap lift” from strangers, and do not follow anyone who insists on a quick game in a quiet corner. The gangs counted on haste and the festive crowd. This week, two police stations responded with raids.
