The silverware earned by AK Block Residents’ Association over the years for hosting Durga puja and showcased at its community centre was found vandalised on Monday afternoon. The miscreant who broke into the office room of the community centre also made away with some trophies.
Though the games room on the roof is in regular use, the ground floor office room, under lock and key, had not opened for days in recent times.
“At around 3pm, some residents had spotted a boy leaving the community centre. But he wasn’t stopped as no one suspected foul play,” said Uttam Bose, a member of the block committee. “It was only after we went to the centre in the evening that we found the lock on the office door broken.”
The room that serves as the committee’s office has two entry points — the front door and another glass door on the side. Inside, there was a computer and a printer in a corner. More than 30 trophies lined the walls on shelves, atop an almirah and on a table. The thief twisted and broke each one of them and stole some.
“Our block has been organising Durga puja for 27 years and we have won almost every major award, all of which was kept in this room. They were our pride and visitors would often marvel at them. I am shocked to see what the vandal has done,” said president of the block association Umapada Chatterjee.
Residents said this community hall had been targeted 15 days ago as well. The thieves had then made away with an electrical fitting from a room on the roof that houses a carom board. “That day, the thieves had entered from the back gate and made away with a light fitting,” said a resident.
The committee members have lodged a complaint with the Bidhannagar East police station and have requested the police to step up vigil in the area.
Some residents blamed illegal encroachers around the block for these incidents. “The slum along Kestopur Canal has seen unprecedented growth over the last few years. Petty thefts have become commonplace in the area and have increased after the east police station shifted out of Sarat Abasan in our backyard to Karunamoyee,” said another resident.
The police has promised to look into the matter. “This looks like a case of vandalism. We are investigating the case,” said an officer.
