1,500 Police Personnel Deployed for Sodal Mela
Jalandhar’s Shri Siddh Baba Sodal Mela is witnessing heavy police deployment, with around 1,500 personnel stationed across the mela area to maintain security and regulate the massive gathering. Despite the extensive security arrangements, incidents of alleged snatching and vehicle theft have reportedly surfaced during the festivities.
Sources said some visitors have also complained of purse thefts during the mela. In another incident, an Activa belonging to a resident of Charanjitpura was allegedly stolen from a lane near the Sodal Temple.
Activa Stolen Within an Hour
According to the complaint filed by victim Manish Nagpal at Police Station Division No. 2, he owns a vegetable shop at Sabzi Mandi. On September 24, he reached the Sodal Temple with his family at around 11:15 pm on his Activa, bearing registration number PB 08 DK 9773.
Nagpal parked the scooter on the roadside near the temple before entering the shrine with his family to pay obeisance.
When he returned at around 12:10 am, he reportedly found that the Activa was missing from the spot where he had parked it.
CCTV Captures Suspected Theft
After discovering the theft, Nagpal checked CCTV footage from the surrounding area. The footage reportedly showed two individuals allegedly taking the Activa and fleeing from the area.
The CCTV visuals have now surfaced, showing the alleged theft taking place amid the busy mela surroundings.
Questions Over Security Arrangements
The incident has raised questions about security arrangements at one of Jalandhar’s biggest religious gatherings, particularly as police have deployed a large force and are using drone cameras to monitor the mela area.
The victim has approached the police seeking action and recovery of his vehicle. Police are expected to examine the CCTV footage and other available inputs as part of the investigation.
