Bhubaneswar, June 25: In a strong crackdown on the theft of aluminium street lights installed under the Smart City project, the Commissionerate Police on Thursday carried out a bulldozer action against the accused in the Kharvela Nagar police station area.
Police, along with officials of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), demolished the houses of two absconding accused, identified as Sheikh Hamid and Ramzan of Shanti Nagar slum, as well as a scrap shop allegedly linked to the case.
According to police, the accused were involved in the theft of aluminium street lights worth lakhs of rupees from various locations in the city. While five persons have already been arrested in connection with the case, Hamid and Ramzan remain on the run. Acting on allegations that stolen materials were being stored at their premises, the Commissionerate Police first demolished the accused persons’ shop structures before razing their houses. The action was carried out in the presence of BMC officials and police personnel.
The Commissionerate Police stated that stringent measures are being taken to curb organised theft and ensure strict action against those involved in crimes causing losses to public property.
