• On January 27, jewellery and cash worth more than Rs 30 lakh was stolen from four lockers of Punjab National Bank. The case raised serious questions over the security of valuables in banks
• On February 16, two men on a motorbike snatched Rs 1.45 lakh from JMM's city unit vice-president Saheb Khan's wife Nazia. The incident took place in broad daylight and barely 200 metres from JMM supremo Shibu Soren's residence in Morabadi
• On February 27, contractor and broker Anuj Swarnkar (30) was shot dead near Mahendra Prasad Mahila Mahavidyalya. The incident hogged limelight as it took place around 6.30pm on Circular Road where prominent shops like Hariom Tower are located

 

All the three cases of robbery, snatching and murder have two things in common. One, all took place in areas that fall under the jurisdiction of Lalpur police and, second, no breakthrough has been made in any of these cases. Thus, serious questions are being raised about the thana's efficiency.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar admitted that there has been delay, but claimed that soon they would make a breakthrough in all the cases.

"In connection with the February 27 murder incident, the shooter has been identified. We will arrest him soon. For the two other cases of bank loot and theft, efforts are on to nab the criminals. Breakthrough can come any day," he added.

When asked officer-in-charge of Lalpur thana Shailesh Prasad, he was rather offensive.

"Action speaks louder. First crack the cases and then talk to me about this matter. There are many incidents that are difficult to solve. One should not think otherwise, we are putting our best efforts," said Prasad.

The areas that come under the jurisdiction of Lalpur thana are Circular Road, Old HB Road, Radium Road, Morabadi grounds and some parts of Purulia Road. Incidentally, the deputy commissioner's as well as the SSP's official residences fall under this police station.

Apart from such important addresses, there are many educational institutions like Ranchi College, Ranchi Women's College, an extended campus of BIT-Mesra and several private coaching centres in these areas and proper policing is a must as students from different parts of the state reside here for preparing for different competitive examinations.