The Bhubaneswar-Kataka Commissionerate Police successfully brought smiles to hundreds of citizens by recovering and returning 307 stolen mobile phones.
The devices, which were primarily stolen in crowded areas during the festive rush between Rath Yatra and Durga Puja, were handed back to their rightful owners at a specially organized ‘Mobile Handover Mela’ at the Commissionerate Police headquarters.
Spearheaded by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Bhubaneswar, the initiative marks a significant milestone in curbing street crimes and providing closure to victims of mobile theft. Police utilized advanced tracking to trace the stolen devices and organized the handover camp to ensure a smooth return process for the owners.
According to police, the 307 recovered phones were traced across multiple jurisdictions. The OCPO Cell spearheaded the recovery, securing a massive 151 devices.
Notable recoveries from local police stations include:
- Saheed Nagar: 50 phones
- Mancheswar: 20 phones
- Badagada: 12 phones
- Dhauli, Shree Lingaraj, Bharatpur, & Capital: 10 phones each
- Info Valley: 9 phones
- Khandagiri, Chandrasekharpur, Nayapalli, Jatni, & Pahala: 5 phones each
The initiative has garnered widespread praise from citizens, who noted that the ‘Mobile Mela’ has significantly bolstered public trust in local law enforcement. Many victims who had given up hope of finding their devices expressed deep gratitude upon receiving them back.
Assuring the public of their continued commitment to tackling mobile theft, the Commissionerate Police stated that such recovery efforts will remain an ongoing priority.
The police department has urged anyone who has lost their mobile phone to promptly report it to their nearest police station or contact the OCPO Cell for assistance.
