Jamshedpur: Violent crimes are happening in the steel city with chilling regularity and residents are being forced to question their faith in police.

In April-May, at least half a dozen incidents of shooting have taken place and twoof them were fatal. During the same time, two persons have been knifed to death or grievously injured. There are also several cases of unidentified bodies and unresolved murders while the number of solved crimes is meagre.

Gang rivalry has reared its ugly head in areas like Mango, which witnessed back-to-back gun attacks since Sunday, Sonari and Baridih. But, proactive policing is largely missing, complain residents.

"I was supposed to visit a construction site in Mango today (Tuesday), but I decided to postpone my plan because the area is not safe now. People are being shot at random and cops don't seem to be doing precious little to maintain law and order," said Hemant Gupta, a resident of Sonari and a garments trader.

Ravindra Singh, a transporter and resident of Sitaramdera, questioned the intelligence network of police. "If cops are vigilant, then how are goons ruling the roost. Women are scared of chain snatchers, traders are worried about extortionists and gang wars are back to haunt the city. Something is wrong somewhere," he said.

On Monday evening, one Anmol Singh (22) of Telco was stabbed to death near Baridih Recreation Club in Sidhgora. His only fault was that he had intervened in a fight between two unidentified youths.

On Sunday night, Jamshedpur Workers' College student Rahul Singh (20) was shot at four times by a gang of bikers in Baikunthnagar, Mango. Rahul, admitted to Tata Main Hospital, is said to be a victim of gang rivalry.

Earlier, on May 10, building materials supplier Vishal Singh (24) was shot dead by his rival gang members in Ulidih, Mango. And, on May 9, two youths - Nayan Dhibar and Laltu Mahto - had sustained gunshot wounds in a gang war near Kagalnagar auto stand in Sonari.

East Singhbhum SSP Anoop Birtharay conceded a spurt in crime, but didn't offer a solution. There are 20 patrolling vans and as many bike units that keep regular vigil, he said and added that gang rivalry was claiming most lives.

"Gang war is something over which police do not have direct control. We are identifying those involved in attacks and putting them behind bars," Birtharay said.

"We have decided to intensify patrolling in vulnerable areas, especially Mango. We have also decided to launch extensive arms checking across the city. The information gathering mechanism is being bolstered too," the SSP summed up police plans with a stock reply.

How can police control gun crimes in Jharkhand? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com