Armed Masked Men Strike Transport Office in Late Night Heist
In a brazen late-night robbery, a group of seven to eight armed masked men looted Rs 2.3 lakh from a private transport company in Koida, located under Bonai sub-division of Sundargarh district. The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Wednesday night, sending shockwaves through the local business community.
The targeted office of Maa Tarini Transport sits near the bus stand in Koida, an area now grappling with rising criminal activity. According to police sources, the armed gang entered the premises while employees were present, creating a scene of terror and chaos.
Detailed Account of the Robbery
Four of the intruders carried firearms, while the remaining members of the group were armed with knives and other sharp weapons. The masked assailants threatened employees at the transport office, creating an atmosphere of fear that prevented any resistance.
After securing the cash amount of Rs 2.3 lakh, the robbers went on to damage office equipment systematically. In what appears to be a planned move to destroy evidence, they removed CCTV wiring and fled with the hard disk containing surveillance footage.
Employees at the transport company immediately alerted Koida police following the incident. A patrolling vehicle was dispatched and attempted to intercept a speeding vehicle suspected to be carrying the robbers, but the effort proved unsuccessful.
Police Response and Investigation Status
Koida police formally registered a case on Thursday morning and have launched a comprehensive investigation into the robbery. J R Pati, inspector-in-charge of Koida police station, confirmed that the probe is underway and efforts are being made to apprehend the criminals.
This robbery represents a disturbing pattern in the region, as it happens to be the third major criminal incident in Bonai sub-division in recent weeks. The repeated occurrences suggest an escalating security concern that local authorities are struggling to address effectively.
Just one week prior to this incident, six armed masked men looted Rs 3.59 lakh from another transport office at Barsuan under Tensa outpost. Approximately three weeks ago, five masked men tied up a widow and her daughter in Bonai before decamping with gold jewellery and cash worth over Rs 1 crore.
Police investigations in the previous two major robbery cases have yet to yield arrests, raising concerns among local residents and business owners about the effectiveness of law enforcement measures in the area.
Growing Security Concerns in the Region
The consecutive robberies in Bonai sub-division point to a worrying trend of organized criminal activity targeting businesses and homes in Sundargarh district. The similarity in modus operandi - armed masked men operating in groups - suggests the possibility of the same gang being responsible for multiple incidents.
Local business owners, particularly those in the transport sector, are expressing increasing anxiety about the security situation. The transport industry, which often deals with significant cash transactions, appears to have become a specific target for criminal elements in the region.
Community leaders are calling for enhanced police patrolling and more robust security measures to protect businesses and residents. The repeated success of these criminal operations indicates a need for improved intelligence gathering and faster response mechanisms from law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation continues, Koida police face mounting pressure to not only solve this latest robbery but also to prevent further criminal activities in the area. The pattern of incidents suggests that without decisive action, more businesses and households could fall victim to similar attacks in the coming weeks.
