Jajpur district’s Brahmabarada police limits are witnessing a sharp rise in theft and burglary incidents, creating an atmosphere of fear among residents. From houses to markets, and even temples and monasteries, thefts have now become an everyday occurrence. Complaints of daytime and nighttime thefts are reaching the police station almost daily, turning the situation into a major challenge for the local police.
Despite the alarming rise in crime, the police appear unfazed, and their failure to curb these incidents has drawn widespread criticism. As a result, public trust in the Brahmabarada Police is rapidly declining. On Tuesday night, November 18, miscreants broke into the house of Niranjan Sahu of Akhuakula village under Bandhadiha Panchayat and escaped with over 20 grams of gold ornaments, including a gold sankha, chain, ear-rings, locket, nose-pins, and ₹3,000 cash. Though five days have already passed, the police have failed to trace the accused. Similarly, on Wednesday afternoon, November 19, another theft shocked the town. Sujit Kumar Barik of Balia Haripur had withdrawn 15 grams of gold ornaments from Manappuram Gold Loan branch at Brahmabarada.
He parked his motorcycle near Bank of Baroda at Durga Mandap and went to the market. When he returned, he found the vehicle’s dickey broken open and the gold ornaments along with ₹50,000 cash stolen. Sujit immediately informed Brahmabarada Police and lodged a complaint. Even though the thieves were caught on CCTV camera, the police have not been able to gather any concrete leads so far. On Thursday night, thieves struck again—this time targeting two temples under Rautarapur Panchayat. At Ratapur village, miscreants stole a 10-kg brass bell from the Sitaram Temple, according to Brundaban Das Maharaja. On the same night, they stole a bell and other valuables from a Mangala Temple in Kundapatna village.
Shockingly, the police have not been able to identify or arrest any of the thieves involved in these back-to-back incidents. Locals have also alleged that police often reach crime scenes 8–10 hours after the FIR is filed, inviting strong public resentment. Residents say that due to the lack of day and night patrolling, thieves are freely targeting homes, markets and temples, raising serious questions about the efficiency and preparedness of the Brahmabarada Police. Intellectuals and locals of the region have expressed deep dissatisfaction and demanded that Jajpur SP intervene immediately and take steps to restore law and order in the area.
