In less than a month, four women living alone for various reasons have been done to death in the city. Several shopkeepers and traders have been shot and looted.
As security forces are engaged with the election process, tightening checks at borders, looking for concealed wealth, and preventing transport of illicit cash or liquor bottles from across the state, criminals in Agra seem to be having a field day.
In less than a month, four women living alone for various reasons have been done to death in the city. Several shopkeepers and traders have been shot and looted.
In Dhuliaganj area, a shopkeeper was shot in the afternoon a week ago and Rs65,000 snatched from him. A generator dealer of Vijay Nagar colony was similarly shot on the national highway and he was robbed of bag containing cash.
Similar incidents have been reported in the past week from Idgah colony, Ram Bagh colony, Balkeshwar colony. On Friday, three major incidents of loot and burglary were reported within a space of two hours. Jewellers are becoming a favourite target.
Rajesh Kalyani, of the Colours and Spices Market of Rawat Para, said police were not able to cope with the rise in crime. "They (criminals) are roaming free and openly threatening the merchants."
"Obviously, gangsters and petty criminals think this is just the right time to make hay while the sun shines. We have no government, the babus and the officials are all busy with elections. Looks like a holiday from governance," said hotelier Surendra Sharma.
Another activist, Shravan Kumar Singh explained: "Earlier during elections, all criminals used to get work, for canvassing and arranging for votes, transfer of money or liquor. But this time because of the Election Commission's tightening the noose with its code of ethics and firm monitoring, petty criminals are unemployed. Perhaps this is why they are trying their hands at looting innocent citizens."
Nobody is safe in Agra these days, say the citizens
A delegation of businessmen and members of merchant chambers met Inspector General of Police (IG) PK Tiwari and Deputy Inspector General of Police Aseem Arun Saturday and presented a memorandum listing their grievances. They demanded firm action against criminals.
Their collective anger resulted from the gun attack on a businessman and his son, residents of Moti Ganj. The father is struggling for life at Medant Hospital.
Inspector General Tiwari explained to the delegation that adequate police force was not available for routine duties as a result of the election process. But he assured the traders measures would be taken promptly to provide full security to the people.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}