Nagpur: The city witnessed a sharp surge in crime over three days, despite heavy police deployment on the street to secure Independence Day arrangements. Between August 15 and 16, at least four knife attacks and two murders left the city rattled and triggered questions on effectiveness of policing and performance of the force under CP Vishwas Nangre Patil, who took over reins 50 days ago.Questions are being raised about the standard operating procedures for night patrols and nakabandi, and whether the promised visible policing under Nangre Patil has translated into results on the ground. Most importantly, fear is missing among criminals.In Yashodhara Nagar, two bike-borne youths in their early twenties allegedly stopped a 16-year-old boy near Sher-e-Punjab Lawn shortly after Saturday midnight and stabbed him in the waist and fled. The injured teen was treated at Mayo Hospital and an offence registered on August 16.Hours earlier at Wathoda, two youths allegedly stabbed a 36-year-old man on the left thigh after an altercation near a friend’s house. The victim was rushed to hospital, and a case registered.In Old Kamptee, a 40-year-old man allegedly whipped out a knife during a money-related dispute, stabbed his 61-year-old neighbour in the neck when the elderly tried to defend himself. He was treated at the sub-district hospital and an offence was subsequently registered.In Imambada, two youths allegedly demanded money for liquor from a 34-year-old cabby near Nagmandir. When he refused, one of them stabbed him in the belly and the other assaulted him. The victim was hospitalised and a case registered. In all four FIRs, charges of attempt to murder, use of dangerous weapons and criminal intimidation were registered. None of the accused was arrested till Monday midnight.Violence did not stop there. Two murders within 24 hours again shook the city. In Ganeshpeth police limits, Akshay Shette, 28, was killed over a family dispute. One accused was arrested while others are currently on the run.In Ramgiri slum near Seminary Hills, a milk vendor Chandan Siraswar, 43, was murdered over a petty roadside altercation after an e-rickshaw crash. He was struck on the head with a paver block and declared dead at Mayo Hospital. These incidents form part of a broader pattern of violent crime that has unsettled Nagpur since the beginning of August. Petty disputes over money, liquor or perceived insults continue to escalate into life-threatening knife attacks.Police sources said teams have been directed to intensify night patrols and nakabandi in sensitive localities. Yet, residents and legal observers are uneasy. “Where is the sustained police presence during late-night hours when there’s a spike in crime,” asked an activist. “How effective are night ‘nakabandis’ if bike-borne attackers and local youths can still strike, stab and escape with such ease,” the activist asked.
