Tura, Dec 21: Growing number of theft cases in Tura town has caused concern among the residents and shopkeepers, who have sought stricter night in the localities round the clock.
According to some local traders, increased frequency and bold nature of thefts are the main cause of concern. In a worrisome trend, thieves are found striking even during peak business hours, not waiting till the dead of night when the entire town goes to sleep and streets become deserted.
In CCTV footage, a thief was seen entering a shop around 6 pm and swiftly pocketing cash from an unattended drawer while staff were busy serving customers. The shopkeeper discovered the theft only after closing time, during routine account reconciliation.
A staff member said the culprit took advantage of a brief moment when the cash handler stepped out to purchase medicine. “In that short time, the theft happened,” he said. However, an FIR was not filed, as the culprit’s face was not clearly visible in the footage.
In another case, a shop in Tura Bazar, identified as MR Store, was broken into a few days ago. The owner said thieves damaged the wooden entrance and escaped with cash and goods. “Two planks were broken. When I went inside, I saw my money was stolen along with some goods,” he said.
A third shop near a masjid narrowly escaped a break-in attempt. The owner rushed to the site after being alerted by a phone call at around 5 pm. “It looked like an attempt to break in, but luckily they could not succeed,” he added.
Beyond commercial establishments, residents are reporting thefts of scooties, vehicle batteries, and even cash boxes. Yet, many such cases are not reported to police, with victims blaming unclear footage, low monetary value, or little hope of recovery.
Business owners say this reluctance is creating an atmosphere of impunity. “If no FIRs are filed, no arrests will be made,” said a resident of Tura Bazar area. “This silence is encouraging criminals to take bigger risks.”
Local residents now fear that the trend may escalate into more serious offences if ignored. With the festive season approaching and footfalls increasing in markets, traders are calling for stronger police patrolling, better lighting, and awareness campaigns urging victims to report every incident.
Meanwhile, police officials are expected to take note of the rising concerns as shopkeepers say they plan to collectively raise the issue.
