Samikhsya Bureau
The usual stuff of news coverage on crimes in Odisha normally hover around loots these days. And the usual sight on the streets of the capital city Bhubaneswar is commonly cantered on two things. The VIP security and vigils on the bikers without helmets. As if bikers without the head gear are the only cause against safety, be it on the roads or at traffic junctions.
Rest is left to the people to fend for themselves. Among the most critical traffic junctions the most stereotyped sight is two to three cops hide on the side lines and an ambush is made on a biker without helmet. Or at best, at certain posts, like Khandagiri square few cops keep tracking on freight carriers for whatever reason. That is the stock theme that remains the cornerstone of regulation.
That leaves a major geographic expanse of the city exposed to the vagaries of criminal elements who indulge in loot, kidnapping, rape and so on and time no bar. The most disgusting sight is also the parking PCR vans usually seen idly parked in areas where there is no need. It is rare a sight if one comes across a PCR van in action. At the stroke of midnight the slumber of complacency takes over the vigilant cops leaving the looters or snatchers to do the crimes even at day break.
News bulletins are replete with the stuffs of that type from morning to evening. And a few apologist senior police officials (retired) can be seen bragging the same monosyllables like, shortage of man power and need for more vigilance. Before one digests the stereotypes the next crime takes place.
The increasing fearlessness among the perpetrators of crime is no more a wakeup call but a snooze amid the snores only.
