Bhubaneswar: Lost your phone, purse or any other valuable in the Rath Yatra crowd? You no longer need to struggle with writing a lengthy complaint or navigating jam‑packed streets to reach police stations. Puri police have introduced a simplified form system, allowing victims to report thefts quickly and expect action without hassle.In the past three days, Puri police have already arrested and detained at least 150 alleged snatchers and thieves, mostly women and juveniles hailing from Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with the maximum nabbed on Rath Yatra on Thursday. Around 250 stolen mobile phones have also been recovered.Mindful of the difficulties devotees face during the crowded festival, police, this year, have set up temporary aid posts across the town where complainants can get these forms and fill them with basic details — name, address, phone number and identity proof.“We have introduced a form in a proper and short format. A complainant can fill the form instead of writing a one- or two‑page complaint. They are being given acknowledgement receipts upon filling in the form,” said Saumendra Priyadarsi, in charge of Rath Yatra’s overall security. Victims can also seek help through the Puri police chatbot at 8763199400.The initiative has drawn appreciation from devotees. Sunita Mishra from Bhadrak said: “I lost my phone while pulling the chariot. The aid post staff helped me fill the form in minutes. It was far easier than I expected.”Rabindra Mahakud, a devotee from Cuttack, said in such a massive crowd, even reaching a police station is impossible. “This form system is a relief. At least we feel our complaint is registered,” Mahakud said.Puri superintendent of police Prateek Singh said anti‑snatching squads were deployed anticipating theft in the madding crowd.To further safeguard devotees, locker facilities have been provided at Badasankha and near Abakash Holiday Home on Grand Road near Gundicha temple. “We urge devotees to use lockers to keep valuables. Prevention is better than cure,” Singh said.
