Mumbai witnessed a wave of thefts during the Ganesh immersion festivities, with over 250 mobile phones and 22 gold chains reported stolen. The extensive crowds at major immersion spots such as Lalbaug, Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu, and Dadar Chowpatty provided an opportunity for various gangs from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and other regions to target the gathered devotees.
The police have arrested eight suspects linked to these thefts. The security forces, which included over 30,000 policemen and 40 Deputy Commissioner (DCP) rank officers, worked diligently to manage the chaos. Despite the extensive security measures, many people fell victim to pickpockets and chain-snatchers.
In addition to the thefts, the police successfully reunited 38 missing children, aged between two and seventeen years, and 19 missing adults with their families at Girgaum Chowpatty. The reunification was facilitated by a combination of control room efforts, a public announcement system, and vigilant watchtowers.
The loss of gold chains and phones was particularly prevalent during the immersion day, especially as crowds gathered to witness the processions of Lalbaug Cha Raja and Chinchpokhli Cha Chintamani heading toward Girgaum Chowpatty. The police reported that many individuals suffered from suffocation due to the dense crowds and received prompt assistance.
Although chain-snatching incidents were not reported at Girgaum Chowpatty, significant numbers of phone thefts were logged at local police stations: 99 reports at D B Marg police station and 89 at V P Road police station.
Additionally, the police took action against three individuals who were operating drones illegally during the festivities. These individuals, mostly social media influencers, did not have the necessary permissions to fly drones, which were being used for capturing live footage of the celebrations.
Sources By Agencies
