Puri (Odisha) [India], August 5 : During the world-renowned Rath Yatra 2026 of Lord Jagannath, Puri Police accorded the highest priority to ensuring the safety and security of lakhs of devotees, maintaining public order, and preventing crime through extensive security arrangements.
Under the leadership of Superintendent of Police, Puri, Prateek Singh, and with the coordinated efforts of all Police Stations and the Cyber Police Station, a dedicated Anti-Snatching Team was constituted to prevent incidents of snatching and theft during the festival. The team maintained continuous surveillance in crowded areas, including the Grand Road (Bada Danda), the vicinity of Shree Jagannath Temple, bus stands, the beach, and other sensitive locations, by deploying personnel in plain clothes, according to a release.
As a result of this well-planned operation, 175 snatchers were arrested during the Rath Yatra period. Appropriate criminal cases were registered against all the accused, and they were forwarded to the competent courts in accordance with law. This achievement reflects Puri Police's firm commitment and zero-tolerance approach towards organised snatching and street crime during major public events.
During the operation, 304 lost mobile phones were successfully recovered. In addition, several valuable articles, including gold ornaments, cash, wallets, identity documents, and other personal belongings, were also recovered. After due verification, the recovered property is being returned to its rightful owners in a phased manner.
Today, through the "Missing Mobile Mela", many recovered mobile phones were handed over to their owners. Citizens expressed their appreciation for the prompt response, transparency, and citizen-centric approach adopted by Puri Police in tracing and returning their lost property.

The success of this operation was made possible through the effective use of technology, CCTV surveillance, intelligence gathering, deployment of plain-clothes personnel, quick response teams, and seamless coordination among all Police Stations. These measures enabled the police to identify, track, and apprehend offenders swiftly.
Puri Police appeals to all citizens whose mobile phones have been lost and who have not yet lodged a complaint or recovered their devices to register their complaints through the Puri Police "Sahayak" WhatsApp Chatbot at +91 87631 99400. The chatbot enables citizens to conveniently register complaints and submit details of their lost mobile phones online from anywhere.
The achievements during Rath Yatra 2026 are not only a testament to the effective enforcement efforts of Puri Police against criminals but also reflect its commitment to the "Citizen First" philosophy. Returning lost property to its rightful owners has further strengthened public trust and confidence in the police.
Puri Police remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring public safety, preventing crime, and delivering prompt, transparent, and citizen-friendly policing services.