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Dacoits strike at jewellery shop

BHUBANESWAR: In a daring act, seven armed dacoits looted jewellery worth approximately Rs. 2.4 crores from a shop located in the main marketplace of the western Orissa town of Sambalpur on Sunday afternoon.

The dacoity move was well planned. All the miscreants entered the double-storied Jewelry World in the guise of customers in a phased manner between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar told The Hindu over phone from Sambalpur.

Jewelry World had kept imitation jewellery and silver ornaments on the ground floor which the dacoits did not even touch.

The last batch of dacoits entered the showroom with a large bag and locked the door from inside. They immediately damaged close circuit cameras, landline phones and cellphones.

They then herded all salespersons from the ground floor to the first floor where gold and diamond ornaments were kept. Subsequently, they had planted bombs on the staircase steps, a salesperson said.

Later, the dacoits, who were speaking in Hindi with each other, filled their bag with ornaments and cash, and made their getaway in a black van.

By the time the police arrived, the operation of the dacoits had been completed. Though the shop owner had not lodged any written complaint with the police by the time the report was being filed, sources said the stolen jewellery would be worth Rs. 2.4 crores.

Meanwhile, police swung into action by sealing off all exit points from the district and informing neighbouring district police to keep eye on suspicious movements with regards to the loot.

“We have constituted five teams headed by senior police officials. They are conducting raids at several places and keeping close vigil on National Highway Six. Moreover, a team with sniffer dogs is on the job,” Mr. Kumar said.

The Superintendent of Police said that vigil was being maintained on roads leading to Jharkhand as the miscreants were suspected to be hailing from the neighbouring State.

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