Rise in theft cases creates scare in Kathua area

*People demand shifting of cops
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 21: Increase in theft cases in Kathua town has created scare among the local people while police has failed to work out many cases. The people of the town still stay calm after the numbers of theft cases taken place within few days.
The gang of burglars is active in Kathua area and decamped with cash, gold and valuable items after a number of strikes made during last few weeks. About a dozen bikes were also stolen within the city area, giving challenge to the Police department recently.
The thieves even not spared the house of Martyr, Capt Sunil Choudhary (Kirti Chakra) at Govindsar. The family members of Martyr were not present in the home and a caretaker had been left behind. Today when the caretaker entered the house, he found the door of house broken, rooms opened and all the items were found scattered in the rooms. The Steel Almirah, lockers were broken and some valuable items were fiound missing.
A family member Lal Chand told that house was locked and it appeared that thieves had fearlessly searched the entire house and all items are scattered here and there.
A Police team with FSL expert reached the spot and started investigation into the matter. The local people told that two days earlier thief decamped with gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 20 lakhs from a jewellery shop in the city. Some more theft cases also taken place in Kathua town, Hatli Morh, Govindsar, Kalibari and its adjoining areas during last 3-4 weeks. The people are passing sleepless nights.
The cases of bike lifting are also on rise. The bike lifters fearlessly lifting the bikes parked in front of houses. More than half dozen of bikes were stolen within a week and police is still clueless.
Muncipal Councilor, Kathua Ravinder Pathania alleged that the tall claims of Kathua police to install the CCTV cameras in all entry points and main chowks of town appears to be hollow. Burglars are moving freely in the city.
A CCTV camera installed at main chowk of Kathua town is lying defunct since long. The local people, shopkeepers and bike owners are frightened and feeling insecure for their property. They have demanded to transfer concerned police officers and posting of effective police team at Kathua, Nagri and Lakhanpur.