Spate of petty crimes in city; Rilbong hit hardest

SHILLONG, Jan 27: Petty crimes and burglary cases are on the rise in several localities of Shillong, with the Rilbong area being one of the most affected. Frequent incidents of theft, burglary, and vandalism, such as damage to private cars for stealing music systems, have been reported in the area.
A resident of Rilbong, Pradip K Sen, recently lodged an FIR at the Rilbong police beat house, reporting the theft of a laptop and a mobile phone from his house.
Police acknowledged receiving regular complaints about crimes such as theft of tyres and music systems from vehicles in the area.
According to the police, while burglary cases are reported occasionally, they suspect that many incidents go unreported.
Rangbah Shnong of Lumshatsngi, Kyrsoi Bok Nongbri, stated that most thefts are committed against local taxis, as their doors are easy to unlock. He pointed out that miscreants take advantage of cars being parked on the roadside.
A senior police official noted that drug addicts are responsible for the majority of thefts and burglaries occurring across the city. He added that burglary cases outnumber petty thefts.
The official explained that burglars often target houses left unoccupied for extended periods, as residents may have gone to their villages or on holidays. “Miscreants typically target such houses, especially those where valuable items like gold ornaments and cash are stored,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of using bank lockers to store expensive items and suggested that residents install CCTV cameras, which have become more affordable, as a deterrent. “CCTV cameras can greatly assist in monitoring and preventing theft,” he added.
The official also highlighted challenges faced by the police, noting that residents often disturb crime scenes by touching objects before forensic teams arrive to collect fingerprints. “This makes the police’s job much more difficult,” he said.