Sambalpur, Sept. 26: The authorities here have sought to quell rumours about burglars striking various parts of the city and the outskirts.

Rumours have been rife that a group of burglars have been targeting houses. This has triggered panic, with people in several localities forming vigilante committees and maintaining night vigil.

On Friday night, the rumours were so intense that the residents of Ranibandhpara, Baraipali, Beheramunda, Thakurpara, Gopalmal, Danipali, Dashmatipara, Panchgachia and Cheruapara patrolled their localities in groups. Similar patrolling was also organised in Kainsir, Jamadarpali, Tangarpali, Dhama, Jayghant and Huma on the city outskirts.

Armed with sticks and crowbars, the residents roamed the streets and did not allow outsiders to enter the areas. In some areas, people were also seen armed with swords.

The police today held a news conference to quell the rumours. Additional superintendent of police S.K. Panigrahi said there was no need to panic. "This is only a rumour," he said, adding that they had not received any reports regarding the movement of burglars or any burglary incidents.

"We appeal to the people to refrain from taking law into their hands because innocent people will suffer. This can create problems," Panigrahi said.

"We have intensified patrolling to make people feel secure. Adequate police force has also been deployed across the city," said Panigrahi.

He also said officers of all the police stations had been asked to make people aware about the rumours and ask them not panic.

"Police have made adequate arrangements to deal with any burglary threat," said Utkala Keshari Dash, a sub-divisional police officer.

"Three PCR vans and seven other vehicles have been engaged to conduct patrolling at night. The police are also conducting checks at all the entry points of the city on a regular basis," said Dash.

New district demand

Residents of Bhanjanagar have demanded the creation of a separate Ghumusar district.

"We want Ghumusar district to be created by bifurcating Ganjam," said Ghumusar Vikash Jagaran Sangha convener Padma Charan Das.

At present, Bhanjanagar is one of three sub-divisions of Ganjam and popularly known as Rasalkonda. The Ghumusar region is spread over 26,000sqkm with eight blocks and four notified area councils. Bhanjanagar is the birthplace of Odia poet Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. Lord Russell had ruled the region during the British era.

More than 14 lakh people reside in the eight blocks of Ghumusar.

Das argued that creation of a new district had become an administrative necessity as some residents of Ghumusar region had to travel 125km to reach Chhatrapur, the Ganjam district headquarters town.

"The people of this region reside far away from the district headquarters. Formation of the Ghumusar district is the best option to make their lives easy," said Das.

He said people of this region had demanded the formation of Ghumusar district before reorganisation of Ganjam district in 1990, but it was not accepted. Gajapati, which was also a sub-division of Ganjam, became a full-fledged district with effect from October 2, 1992. Even Paralakhemundi sub-division, which had seven blocks and a population of 5,18,445, attained the status of a district.