Shyam Das, Asansol:
A massive sensation has spread across the entire area following the armed robbery of a young man's motorcycle in the dead of night on National Highway 19 in Raniganj. This daring robbery took place near the busiest Punjabi More area of Raniganj. Such open brandishing of weapons and daylight robbery on a crowded national highway have raised questions among the general people regarding their safety. Sanjib Nayak, the victim and a resident of Durgapur's steel township, has been left terrified. Immediately after the incident, he lodged a written complaint at the Raniganj police station, based on which the police have initiated an investigation.
According to local sources and the complaint, on Friday, August 21, Sanjib Nayak had gone to Purulia for work. Accordingly, he came to Asansol from Durgapur on his Pulsar motorcycle. Upon reaching Asansol, he safely parked his bike in a designated parking zone and left for Purulia by train. After finishing his professional work there all day, Sanjib returned to Asansol by train that same night. Afterwards, he retrieved his Pulsar bike from the parking zone and set off for his home in Durgapur.
Who knew that such danger was awaiting him on his way home? According to the complaint, at around 9 PM, as he reached the area adjacent to Punjabi More on National Highway 19, three unidentified youths on a moving motorcycle suddenly blocked his path. According to eyewitnesses and the complainant's statement, the faces of all three miscreants were covered with gamchas or cloth so that no one could recognize them. They then very tactfully stopped Sanjib's bike. Before he could understand the situation in a split second, the miscreants pulled out firearms, directly pointed a revolver at his head, threatened to kill him, and terrified him to the extreme.
To save his life and taken aback by this sudden attack, Sanjib Nayak did not dare to protest. Taking advantage of that, the miscreants forcibly snatched his valuable Pulsar motorcycle and fled the scene in the blink of an eye. Taking advantage of the empty or partially empty national highway in the dark of night, the miscreants escaped, leaving the victimized youth unable to catch even a glimpse of them.
Although mentally shattered after the incident, Sanjib Nayak somehow pulled himself together and went straight to the Raniganj police station. There, detailing the entire incident, he lodged a written complaint at the Raniganj police station. As soon as the complaint was received, the police administration sprang into action. A full-scale investigation into the incident has already begun. Such incidents of bike snatching by showing firearms in broad daylight or under the cover of night on important and police-patrolled areas like national highways have raised deep concerns regarding the law and order situation and public safety in the area.
Recounting this harrowing experience, the victim Sanjib Nayak said, 'I am still unable to get over the shock. I cannot even imagine that such a brazen incident could take place on such a busy road like National Highway 19! The way a revolver was pointed at my head has left me terrified.'
On the other hand, the police administration has stated that a case has been registered based on the complaint and an investigation has been launched. CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being examined, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the miscreants quickly. Local residents have demanded an increase in police patrolling.
