A massive public rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Polo Ground in Asansol witnessed widespread incidents of pickpocketing, with around 350 people reporting theft of mobile phones and wallets. The large turnout created an opportunity for miscreants to operate freely within the dense crowd, leading to chaos and concern among attendees.
Eyewitnesses said that as the crowd swelled, organised groups of pickpockets became increasingly active. Many locals alleged that these gangs had already infiltrated the gathering and began targeting unsuspecting individuals as soon as the rally gained momentum. After the event concluded, a significant number of people approached authorities complaining about missing belongings. Some alert attendees managed to catch a few suspects in the act and handed them over to the police at the Hirapur Police Station.
However, officials indicated that the number of arrests remains low, as many of the accused managed to escape amid the crowd’s movement and confusion. Police have initiated an investigation and are reviewing the situation to identify those involved in the thefts.