A wave of petty crimes, including mobile and chain snatching, breaking and entering, and dacoity, has recently struck the city of Guwahati, rattling residents and sparking widespread frustration over perceived police inefficiency. Neighbourhoods once considered relatively safe, such as near Piyali Phukan Road, Anil Nagar now report an uptick in criminal activity, with some incidents happening in broad daylight.
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In early November, two separate cases of phone snatching and dacoity were reported on Piyali Phukan Road. In one instance, a young woman had her phone snatched while walking back home after work. Just days later, in the same area, a group of men reportedly broke into a residential building, overpowering residents and taking off with valuable possessions. Despite complaints filed, residents say the police response has been lacklustre, with little headway made in either case.
But these incidents are not isolated. In Dhirenpara on October 5, six armed individuals forced their way into a private residence, holding residents hostage before fleeing with cash and valuables. In a desperate attempt to intervene, a bystander, Liton Majumdar, was shot in the head and remains in recovery, now struggling to cover his mounting medical bills. Meanwhile, reports of snatching have emerged from areas like Chandmari and Beltola, where victims were traumatised and left unwilling to carry valuables, fearing another attack.
The escalation of crime has triggered some citizens to question whether their communities are being adequately protected. "We used to feel safe here, but that sense of security is gone," said one resident of Zoo Road Tiniali. "It’s as if the criminals feel emboldened, knowing there might not be any serious police action."
Residents across Guwahati have shared similar concerns, criticising the lack of a visible police presence and what they describe as a reactionary, rather than preventive, approach. In the words of a local shop owner in Dispur, “We keep hearing about increased patrolling, but we rarely see officers in our area. It feels like the city’s police are too stretched to handle the current crime wave effectively.”
Many residents believe that the police’s response time has been inconsistent, leaving citizens feeling unprotected. A 25-year-old resident of Beltola, who recently had her chain snatched while returning from the market, said, “I felt filing a complaint was pointless because my friends who experienced similar thefts never saw action being taken.” This sentiment echoes widely, as a growing number of residents have stopped reporting minor crimes, citing doubts about whether their complaints will lead to real action.
Guwahati police officials have defended their efforts, pointing to resource limitations and a challenging workload. A senior police official, speaking to GPlus, highlighted that the department has taken steps to address the crime wave, including deploying patrolling teams at night. “We have assigned patrolling parties at different time intervals throughout the city,” he said. However, he admitted that due to a shortage in manpower, there might be “some shortcomings.”
Police records reveal that the force is understaffed and under-resourced for a city growing as rapidly as Guwahati. Current figures show that Guwahati has one of the lowest police-to-citizen ratios among major Indian cities. As the city expands, the pressure on the police force increases, yet budget constraints and administrative limitations have hindered the hiring of additional personnel.
This shortage has created visible gaps in law enforcement. Some areas with high foot traffic, such as Beltola and Paltan Bazaar, see limited police presence, which has led to an increase in crimes of opportunity, especially during busy hours when residents feel most vulnerable.
Concerned citizens have called for a more proactive approach to crime prevention. “We need CCTV cameras in more locations and more police on the streets, especially in high-crime areas,” remarked a resident from Chandmari. “If the authorities don’t have enough staff, why not increase technology use or establish community policing initiatives?”
CCTV cameras are limited to certain commercial areas, leaving residential neighbourhoods largely unmonitored. While the police have emphasised the importance of CCTV footage in investigations, their efforts to secure more cameras have faced budgetary constraints and procedural delays. Many residents feel the city government needs to step in and prioritise these preventive measures as part of a broader public safety strategy.
An anonymous official close to the municipal administration expressed similar frustrations, suggesting that without substantial changes, the city’s crime rate may continue to rise. “We’ve had meetings, we’ve discussed adding more resources, but there’s no real action. The citizens deserve more than promises,” the official stated.
As petty crime rises, concerns about escalation into more violent acts are increasingly voiced. Recent victims report that many snatching incidents involve physical altercations, where thieves have used force to intimidate and subdue their targets. One Beltola resident mentioned how two assailants threatened him with a knife before stealing his wallet. “It’s terrifying to think that one wrong move could turn a simple robbery into something much worse,” he said.
The incident in Dhirenpara, where Majumdar was shot while intervening, serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers when ordinary citizens attempt to confront criminals. Majumdar, now unable to work, has been left in a precarious financial position.
The increasing crime wave has had a tangible effect on the city’s social environment. Families report feeling more anxious about letting their children play outside, while local businesses are witnessing reduced foot traffic as customers avoid carrying cash or valuables. “We’re losing our sense of community and trust,” noted a shop owner from Dispur. “People are becoming more isolated, hesitant to even engage with neighbours.”
In response, community groups have attempted to organise safety meetings and coordinate with local police; however, these efforts have seen limited success. Without systemic changes from city officials and law enforcement, residents say it feels like their hands are tied.
While the police department is quick to cite understaffing and limited resources, critics argue that the response has been insufficient to meet the city’s needs. Crime prevention measures in Guwahati appear to lack the cohesive planning seen in cities like Bengaluru or Delhi, where authorities have invested in both technology and community-based policing models to combat crime.
Local politicians have called on the state government to address this issue urgently, with some suggesting budget reallocations to strengthen the city’s security infrastructure. As crime continues to escalate, Guwahati residents are demanding action, hoping for a safer environment without delays and excuses.
The people of Guwahati deserve better protection and a sense of safety that has long been eroded by a lack of effective policing.
Without a strategic and immediate overhaul, the city risks a further descent into lawlessness, which could have lasting implications on the quality of life for its residents. The demand is clear: more officers, better resources, and an emphasis on proactive crime prevention, before the city loses any semblance of public security altogether.
