SHILLONG: Residents of Greater Laban are concerned over the rising cases of theft. Nearly half a dozen theft cases are reported from various vicinities of Greater Laban some of which are intrusive in nature alerting the others to be caution. Ranging from valuables, gadgets to gas cylinders, residents of these localities have lost much in these cases of thieveries.
An elderly woman, a resident of Ashoke Colony, a suburb of Hotath Colony in Kench’s Trace area of Laban narrated about an intrusive person who attempted to enter her house on the plea of taking a signature, recently. The woman, a former teacher, said that a fairly aged person after prostrating full length at her feet sought her signature on a ‘makeup story’ that says about a youth who was butchered in a city locality and there is a need to lodge a widespread protest. When she refused to sign stating how such a heinous crime went unreported in the local media, the person went on insisting and asked for a glass of water. “As I was closing the door to fetch water, the person holds the door, telling me to keep it open,” she said.
As she went inside to fetch water, suddenly another family member noticed that the person had entered the house and taking advantage of the aged family members, the intruder went from one room to another. One of the family members shouted at the intruder and warned she will be compelled to call in police. The intruder later left the scene.
In another incident, a resident of Lumkartik Lane area of Laban lost both her domestic LPG cylinders while she was away from town. There is a suspicion that it could be the handiwork of some known people. It is learnt that the thieves have not touched anything in the house but took away only the gas cylinders.
In yet another incident, valuables estimated to be worth Rs 80,000 were stolen from a house at Lower Lumparing area of Laban. In Last Stop, a failed attempt was made in the house of another resident whereas in Bishnupur thieves were successful in their operation in a house. Affected residents of these localities are of the opinion that there is a nexus behind this “craftily operations”. The residents observed that looking at the penchant it is evident that the thieves have made a ‘survey’ first. In the Bishnupur incident, it is learnt that thieves sprinkled a powdery substance on family members to attempt robbery.
