GUWAHATI: Residents of Ambari in Guwahati have a new problem now as Lamb Road is having a harrowing time and they have none to rely upon in times of need.
According to the residents of Lamb Road, there have been an increasing number of cases where two- wheelers parked on the road have been stolen by miscreants in intervals of 1 or 2 days. Residents blame it on the lack of intervention by the police as well as unavailability of streetlights on the road.
“A coaching centre is located at the commercial block at the approach of the Lamb Road from Ambari side. Students have to park their vehicles on the road due to dearth of space inside the commercial block. It is a matter of serious concern that at least four two-wheelers belonging to the students have been stolen in the last two weeks. The police have failed miserably in recovering the vehicles,” a resident of lamb Road said.
Ambari in the city has a large number of directorates of state government departments. Lamb Road residents boast of their ‘oldest locals’ identity in the city. Further, the menace of malfunctioning streetlights on the road is a matter of serious concern.
“The entire stretch from the approach of the Lamb Road up to Latasil playground looms in total darkness in the evening. The surroundings of Jorpukhuri are infested by anti-social elements taking advantage of the darkness. Streetlights don’t work in the area,” another resident said.
A long-time resident of Lamb Road is of the view that anti-social activities beside the Jorpukhuri have become a regular order of business in the evenings. “Taking advantage of illegal parking of cab services near the Pukhuri, miscreants resort to illegal activities. The newly set up parking space near Jorpukhuri by the cab services is making things worse. Locals are finding no space to park their vehicles,” he said.
Residents say police accountable for trouble
Residents of Lamb Road are holding the police accountable for the thefts in the area. A resident, on the condition of anonymity, said that even after several complaints registered with Latasil police station against thefts in the area, police have failed to address the issues.
“A homeguard came to interrogate in the recent theft case. The police wrapped up the investigation after a preliminary investigation. Nothing on the ground been noted thereafter. The police has also been creating nuisance in the area. Unauthorized police personnel like the homeguards are seen blowing sirens every evening. Latasil police station personnel are also seen setting up check-posts or seen maintaining vigil in areas less necessary, like near the hostels of Handique College and Cotton College,” the resident said.
Police disagrees with residents
On being asked about the frequent thefts in the locality, Latasil PS officer-in-charge Sunil Kalita completely negated the idea of lackadaisical attitude on the part of Latasil PS.
“Thieves are in action and resort to anti-social activities almost across the city. Today, we have recovered a recently stolen autorickshaw and a mobile phone. In case of thefts of two-wheelers, complaints are being taken seriously. Not many two-wheelers have been stolen as reported; rather, only one two-wheeler has been missing from where it was parked. The owner, who is a student, has been questioned. He parked it near Jorpukhuri where streetlights are not working,” Kalita said.
“Police cannot keep an eye on each and every local staying in this area. Taking advantage of the dark, miscreants take to stealing two-wheelers. There has been no inaction on our part. We still have thieves in our jail. After being released, the miscreants again resort to stealing. Streetlights adjacent to the police station were not working earlier. I had to ask the GMC officials to repair the streetlights,” Kalita added.
