Bhubaneswar Full of Thieves: Niranjan Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik expressed grave concern over the growing threat of professional thieves and robbers in the city after a burglary at his residence late Saturday night. Patnaik, the former president of Odisha Congress, criticized the law and order situation in the state capital, describing it as a hotspot for criminal activities.
“Bhubaneswar city is full of professional thieves and dacoits. It is very difficult to provide safety and security to common citizens here,” Patnaik stated.
The burglary occurred at Patnaik’s residence, located in a VIP area under Nayapalli police limits. According to Patnaik, the robbers entered the second floor of the building, where his elder son, Devjyoti Patnaik, and his family reside, around 2:40 AM. Fortunately, the family members were not present at home at the time.
“The thieves were professional; their faces and hands were covered, and they were wearing shoes. My son and daughter-in-law were not at home, and my two grandsons were at my brother’s residence in Forest Park. When they returned, the thieves were already inside my son’s room. They looted jewelry and cash,” Patnaik explained.
Patnaik speculated that the burglars may have had prior knowledge of his son’s absence. “Luckily, no one was at home during the incident. The burglars might have hurt my family for their safety, but fortunately, no one was harmed,” he added.
The robbery took place just hours before the Republic Day celebrations. Despite tight security and increased night patrols in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik remarked that the robbers had still managed to carry out the crime, emphasizing their professionalism.
“The police were patrolling the city for the Republic Day celebrations, but despite the enhanced security, the robbers dared to commit the offense. This shows that they were indeed professional thieves,” he said.
The Commissionerate Police has initiated an investigation into the burglary.