Kolkata Police Ramp Up Security After String of Vehicle Thefts at Popular Ghats
In response to a concerning series of thefts targeting vehicles parked near the iconic Prinsep Ghat and Judges Ghat in Kolkata, law enforcement authorities have initiated a comprehensive security overhaul. Investigators have pinpointed a specific stretch of dense, overgrown bushes situated between the Circular Railway tracks on the riverfront and the adjacent road as a suspected hideout and observation point for the criminal gangs involved.
Pattern of Crimes and Police Response
According to police reports, the perpetrators have been systematically shattering car windows to pilfer bags and other valuables left on seats. This modus operandi has prompted immediate action from the Kolkata Police, who are now implementing round-the-clock vigilance in the affected areas with coordinated assistance from the Government Railway Police (GRP).
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Port) Harikrishna Pai has issued directives for increased surveillance on all roads proximate to Prinsep Ghat and Judges Ghat. A specialized bike patrol team has been formed to conduct daily sweeps of the area from the afternoon onwards, with explicit instructions to monitor individuals concealing themselves in the bushes and along the riverfront road. Additionally, plainclothes officers will be deployed to patrol the riverfront discreetly.
Evidence Uncovered and Suspected Culprits
The police investigation was launched following numerous complaints over the past fortnight. Officers from the South Port Police Station conducted a thorough probe, leading to the recovery of four expensive, branded bags from the dense undergrowth. These bags, believed to have been stolen from vehicles, were found emptied of cash and cards, with their chains open and papers strewn about the location.
Significantly, the search also revealed the presence of drugs and associated paraphernalia within the bushes, alongside iron rods and rocks that police suspect were utilized to break car windows. This evidence has led investigators to strongly believe that drug users are behind the recent spate of thefts. Officers have stated that legal action will be pursued against any drug users apprehended in the area.
Infrastructure Vulnerabilities and Victim Identification
An examination of the physical layout revealed critical security gaps. The area spanning from Prinsep Ghat station to Babughat is separated from the road by iron railings. However, the section between the station and Judges Ghat features a space between the railway tracks and these railings that is heavily overgrown with vegetation.
Police discovered multiple sections where the railings were either damaged or completely broken. It is believed that offenders exploit these gaps to gain access to the secluded bushes and the riverfront road, facilitating their criminal activities. In a related development, complainants were summoned to the police station to identify the recovered items, with three individuals successfully identifying the stolen branded bags.
The combined strategy of enhanced patrols, targeted surveillance, and addressing physical vulnerabilities aims to restore security and deter future criminal incidents at these prominent Kolkata landmarks.
