Omkar Dattatray
It is very unfortunate and disturbing that the city of temples which Jammu has the distinction of being is degenerating into a hub and capital of crimes .It is matter of grave and grave concern that crime graph in Jammu is rising and Jammu has become infamous for crime ,mafia ,drugs ,rowdy elements ,goons and other anti social activities .In recent days many instances of crime ,theft ,dacoits ,ransom collection and kidnapping have raised its ugly head and all these negative things has become the order of the day and the common public suffers great as it is engrossed in this unfavorable environment and the people want some relief from day to day thefts, dacoits ,robberies ,abductions ,chain snatching etc. People are feeling suffocation and heat of the crimes day in and day out. Increasing crime has become a big headache and concern to the common man as he is caught in the cobweb of crimes perpetuated by the criminals of various kinds. People feel frightened and want a zero crime atmosphere. There is a sense of insecurity among the people as thefts and robberies are taking place in various parts of Jammu and its peripheries in broad daylight .It seems that there is no fear of police and law enforcing agencies in the criminals ,gangsters ,goons and rowdy elements and they are committing crimes without any fear and remorse .In recent days dacoits have looted a jewelry shop in Greater Kalish area at gun point and the dacoits snatched gold weighing 1.500 kg .Few days after this daredevil crime the robbers struck a medical shop in Jammu city and looted Rs 45000 from the shop that too during day time .A murder occurred in the busy Jewel chock in which was members of a gang / gun wielding goons stopped a Red Thar and pumped bullets on the person driving the vehicle and the gangsters fled on a grey colored scooty at gun point .The injured man was identified as Sumit Jandyal of Vijaypur and he was taken to GMC hospital where doctors declared him dead .it has become clear that this unfortunate murder was the result of some old rivalry among the two groups of gangsters .But thank God that Jammu police acted swiftly and apprehended 11 accused in the murder .Few days ago thieves took the benefit of darkness as the power went off in Janipur and the thieves took away some garlands of Rupees and went away .However the police of Janipur acted very swift and caught the thieves .Few months ago an auto Rikesha driver who was ferrying a couple of Monarama Vihar Patta Bohri and was known to the couple ,murdered the couple that too in the day time without any fear .This gruesome murder shook the people of Bhori/Talab Tiloo area and the incident sent shock waves in whole Jammu .The auto riksha driver was also apprehended within few days of the double murder. The pall of gloom descended Talab Tiloo ,Bohri areas on hearing this unfortunate double murder of a retired principal and his wife by a person known to the couple .There was good relations between the couple and the auto driver and they could have never thought even in their wildest dream that such unfortunate thing will be done to them that too by the person known to them for many years .The fact that thefts ,murders ,group clashes, gang war resulting into deaths is frequently taking place in and around Jammu and such crimes are giving sleepless nights to Jammuites .People feel much insecure in their homes ,while going to do daily chorus and even going outside for a walk and while going for purchasing the daily items from the market .Chain snatching is also on rise .Few days before shooting took place at Pallan Mandal on a vehicle and the shooter fled away .Jammu has seen a rise in crime in recent days including gang violence and extortions. As pointed above in February 2025 ,a gangster was shot and killed in a daylight shooting in Jewal Chowk .Yes police have increased their efforts to crack down on crime syndicates ,including extortion rackets .Ramgarh ,Vijaypur ,Bishna, Bari Brahmna ,and RS pura have become hotspots of highway robberies .Drug smuggling is also a problem in these areas .Drug addiction is on rise in Jammu and many people especially youth and even women are taking drugs and have become drug addicts .It seems that police in and around Jammu should have to take certain concrete steps to tighten noose around the thieves ,goons ,gangsters, extortionists ,dacoits who have lately become proactive as the city and its periphery have been witnessing cases of theft, robberies and gang wars in the recent days .There is insecurity and unease among the residents of Jammu as never before as the region is witness to increase in crime that people fear to leave their shops and houses during the day as well as night because the cases of burglary and robberies have taken place in various parts of the city .The people have now raised their voice and showed their concern over the crimes with certain political parties demanding strong action against the criminals including thieves .The crime has become uncontrollable and people have never seen such surge in crimes .Thieves have struck a grocery shop in Shalimar Chowk area and have snatched Rs 50,000.Few days ago thieves struck two shops in Patoli area and decamped with different items worth Rs 3-4 lakh .There is urgent need to take these cases of thefts ,robbery and gang wars very seriously because if police show leniency and complacency ,the thieves ,robbers and goons will be emboldened and it will give steep rise to crime and ultimately people will become sufferers .It is no exaggeration to point out that thieves ,dacoits and gangsters and goons have become hyper active and if all this is not dealt with an iron hand ,the situation will become uncontrollable and the brunt will be borne by the general populace .It is worth appreciation that Jammu police is working with honesty and determination and has solved cases of theft and gang war recently .Jammu police is tirelessly and selflessly working to unearth the thefts and murderers in Jammu and around it .Still there is need to proactively tighten the noose against the thieves ,robbers ,goons and gangsters so that people will heave a sigh of relief. People of Jammu have high expectations on police and it is hoped that law enforcing agencies will leave no stone unturned to crack on thieves, goons and all unscrupulous elements who are becoming threat to peaceful life in Jammu city.
(The author is a columnist, social, KP activist & Freelancer)