Bhubaneswar Police Encounter Leaves Two Chain Snatchers Injured Amid Ongoing Crackdown

The Commissionerate Police engaged in an encounter with two suspected chain snatchers on Thursday, leaving both individuals injured and subsequently hospitalized.

The incident, which took place in the capital city, marks another chapter in the police’s intensified efforts to curb the rising menace of chain snatching and property crimes in the region.

According to reports, the encounter unfolded earlier in the day, with the police acting on intelligence regarding the suspects’ involvement in multiple chain-snatching incidents across Bhubaneswar. The two men, whose identities have not yet been disclosed, were apprehended following a confrontation with law enforcement.

The Commissionerate Police have been under pressure to address the growing number of property crimes in the city, particularly chain snatching, which has plagued residents in recent years. This incident follows a series of operations targeting such criminals.

However, the use of encounters as a policing tactic has sparked debate. In India, the term “encounter” often refers to confrontations between police and suspects that result in injuries or fatalities, raising concerns about potential extrajudicial actions.

The Bhubaneswar police have not released an official statement detailing the circumstances of Thursday’s encounter, but sources indicate that the suspects were involved in a string of chain-snatching cases that had terrorized the city. The police’s “safe city drive,” which began last year, aims to identify and apprehend all chain snatchers and other criminals operating in the area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) had previously stated that such operations would continue until the city is rid of these “mischief mongers.”

For now, the city remains on edge, with residents hoping for a safer future while grappling with the complexities of crime and justice in Bhubaneswar.