Festive Alert: Odisha police detain 26 in Durga Puja snatching cases

As Durga Puja celebrations unfolded in Odisha, a shadow of criminality loomed, but the Odisha Police were quick to respond. They apprehended 26 individuals, including five women, on suspicions of snatching gold chains, mobile phones, and other valuable items during the festive season.

The streets around the puja pandals in Saheed Nagar, Khandagiri, Mancheswar, Nayapalli, and Laxmisagar buzzed with heightened police presence.

In the process, the police uncovered eight mobile phones and Rs 7,000 in cash, as the investigation continues to piece together the full story.


Authorities suspect the involvement of a gang, with its roots extending into Bihar and Jharkhand, notorious for their involvement in a series of snatchings.

This swift police action followed reports of multiple snatching incidents at community puja pandals, notably at the Bomikhal marquee in the city.

"We have detained eight suspects, most from Bihar, from Bomikhal puja pandal," shared Bhubaneswar zone-4 ACP S N Muduli.