Rising Crime Leaves Berhampur Residents on Edge; Questions Mount Over Patrolling, Policing and Media Freedom?

Manoj,Kanta Dash

Editor,Odishabarta

Why a Group of officer doing consipiracy against Administration!!!!! (?)

Berhampur, August 30, 2026: A series of criminal incidents reported in and around Berhampur in recent months has triggered growing concern among residents, with incidents ranging from chain snatching, burglary and motorcycle theft to assault, kidnapping and other serious offences.

The situation has also raised questions about the effectiveness of preventive policing, night patrolling and the functioning of certain police stations under Berhampur Police .

In view of the increasing crime incidents, police have advised members of the public, residents of apartments and other housing complexes, as well as business establishments, to strengthen their own security arrangements. Installation of CCTV cameras, engagement of private security personnel and greater vigilance have been suggested as precautionary measures.

Criminals changing their operational areas?

A OPS police officer, claim all-Rounder a critic of some senior  IPS officer while discussing to a young fresh law practice nor  advising how to release the minor mineral, contraband mafia on bail  narrating about his past  experience Cow Challan mafia  from the year 2011 and preset pattern, observed that criminals appear to be changing their  (Colour) operational areas in response to police and VIP/VVIP movements.

According to the officer, during the past month, some criminal activities appeared to have shifted from the city towards the outskirts and peripheral areas of Berhampur.

The observation raises an important question: Are criminal groups deliberately avoiding heavily patrolled city areas and shifting their activities to locations where police presence is comparatively less visible ?.

The reported nature of offences includes assault, kidnapping, sexual offences, missing minor girls, robbery, snatching and other forms of street crime. The changing pattern warrants closer analysis by the police, particularly in vulnerable and peripheral areas.

Crime prevention or reaction after incidents?

A review of police press releases and crime-related information available over the past three months suggests that several police stations, including Bada Bazar, Nimakhandi, Cyber Police Station, Berhampur Town,Gosaninuagaon and Gopalpur, have reported significant action against offenders bein appreciatedbyCommonpublicof”Public Govt,)

However, the performance of police stations cannot be judged only by the number of arrests or press releases. Prevention of crime, regular patrolling, prompt registration of cases, investigation and recovery of stolen property are equally important indicators of effective policing.

Questions have consequently been raised over the functioning of certain police stations where residents have complained about inadequate visibility of police personnel and patrolling.

Burglary and motorcycle theft remain concerns

Following the murder of senior advocate-cum-politician Pitabas Panda, concerns over law and order in Berhampur have intensified.

Residents have particularly expressed anxiety over mobile-phone and chain snatching, burglaries, motorcycle thefts and other property-related offences.

Sources claim that more than a dozen houses, including the residence of a retired government officer, were burgled during the past three months under Baidyanathpur Police Station limits. More than 15 motorcycle theft cases have also reportedly been registered during the period.

The question being asked by residents is simple: How many of these cases have resulted in the recovery of stolen property and identification of the accused?.

Where are the promised bike patrols?

Night-time patrolling has become another subject of public discussion.

Apart from existing patrolling vehicles, Berhampur Police had received motorcycles for dedicated bike patrolling. However, residents and local observers have questioned whether these motorcycles are being deployed regularly and visibly on city roads, particularly during late-night hours.

If additional resources have been provided for patrolling, their utilisation should be transparent and their presence should be visible to the public.

At the same time, the release of several habitual offenders on bail and their alleged attempts to regroup have created an additional challenge for the police. Maintaining surveillance over known criminal networks is therefore essential.

Police appeal for greater public vigilance

Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M. has urged residents, apartment communities and business establishments to install CCTV cameras and take appropriate security measures. A section of Police officers after   their SP defame   his repute .He has also directed police stations to remain alert and intensify patrolling in sensitive areas under their respective jurisdictions.

Such measures are important, but residents expect them to translate into continuous preventive policing rather than action only after an offence has occurred.

The bigger question: Is policing uniform for everyone?

While several police stations have demonstrated visible action against crime, concerns have also emerged regarding alleged differences in the functioning of individual police stations.

A police station’s performance should not depend upon VIP movement, political influence or the presence of senior officials in the city. The law must operate uniformly—whether the city is witnessing a Chief Minister’s visit, a ministerial programme or no VIP movement at all.

The public deserves to know whether policing arrangements are being maintained consistently throughout the year or whether extraordinary deployment during VIP programmes leaves other areas vulnerable.

Questions over alleged political interference

More seriously, discussions among legal observers, political analysts and sections of civil society have raised concerns over alleged political interference in the functioning of the police administration.

These are allegations and require independent verification. Nevertheless, the concerns cannot simply be dismissed if they are repeatedly being raised by citizens and other stakeholders.

If any police officer is allegedly receiving instructions from political quarters regarding registration of cases, investigations or policing decisions, the matter deserves examination by the competent authorities.

At the same time, allegations against any political leader or police officer should be established through evidence and due process rather than speculation.

An uncomfortable question about press freedom

Another issue that deserves attention is the relationship between the police and the local media.

Recently, a newly posted police officer from a local police station reportedly questioned a media professional about who was drafting his reports, who was supplying information and how he was obtaining information relating to police, STF, EOW, Vigilance and other government agencies.?

The media professional reportedly explained that news gathering is based on multiple sources, including official releases, government departments, police headquarters, investigating agencies and independent sources.

However, facing a unexpected cross question “ How many  fabricated  gold coated  Cases you are registering? He replied sometimes  I Do to make happy   to my Boss(!!).”.

The journalist also made it clear that journalists cannot be expected to disclose confidential sources merely because an officer wants to know who is providing information.

This is where an important line must be maintained.

Police officers have every right to clarify factual inaccuracies in a news report.

They can issue corrections, provide official information or take legal recourse if a report is demonstrably false. But questioning a journalist about confidential sources or attempting to identify who is writing or supplying information can create an impression of pressure on the independence of the media.

Is criticism of police being treated as political?

An even more troubling allegation is that journalists have faced questions suggesting that their reporting is influenced by political affiliations—such as whether a particular media house supports one political party or another.

Such questions are irrelevant to the basic principle of journalism.

A newspaper or digital media organisation should be judged by the accuracy of its reporting, not by assumptions about which political party it supports.

If a police officer believes a report is incorrect, the appropriate response is to place the facts on record.

The answer to a critical news report should be another set of facts—not pressure on the journalist to reveal sources.

Police must investigate crime—and protect the freedom to report it

The people of Berhampur expect the police to act firmly against criminals, irrespective of their political, social or economic connections.

At the same time, journalists must be free to report crime, question police performance and highlight failures in the system without fear or intimidation.

The responsibility is therefore two-fold: the police must ensure public safety, while the media must ensure truthful and responsible reporting.

If there are allegations of misconduct, political interference, selective policing or attempts to influence journalists, the senior police administration should examine them impartially.

The people of Berhampur deserve neither Pro-Political policing nor media intimidation. They deserve professional policing, transparent investigations, effective patrolling and an independent press.

The ultimate test of the system is not how many  arrests are announced. It is whether ordinary citizens feel safe walking on the streets, whether victims receive justice and whether journalists can report uncomfortable truths without fear.

#CMO,Odisha

# DGP,Odisha

# Home Secretary,Odisha

# IGP,SR

#SP, Bramhapur

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