Law enforcement and local security in Himachal Pradesh have come under intense scrutiny following a brazen burglary in a household preparing for an upcoming wedding. The incident, which took place in the Hamirpur district, has left the affected family and local residents in deep shock as authorities scramble to trace the culprits behind the high-value theft.
The events unfolded in the Bizhari market area of Hamirpur district, where thieves targeted three different locations within a tight radius of just 50 to 60 meters. According to local reports, the perpetrators broke the locks of two commercial shops and one residential house, making off with valuables worth lakhs of rupees in a single night.
The hardest hit was a household where a daughter's wedding is scheduled to take place in just 20 days. The family had stored newly purchased gold and silver jewelry alongside cash specifically for the wedding ceremonies, all of which was stolen. In a bizarre twist, the intruders casually hosted themselves inside the house before executing the theft, drinking alcohol and snacking on food items. Investigators later found empty liquor bottles, used glasses, and food remnants scattered inside the premises, indicating the thieves spent a considerable amount of time comfortably inside the home.
A formal case has been registered at the Barsar police station in connection with the thefts. Police officials inspected the crime scene, recorded statements from the victims, and initiated a thorough scan of nearby CCTV camera footage. A security camera installed roughly 50 to 60 meters away from the crime scene is currently being reviewed to track the movement of the suspects.
Prior to breaking into the residence, the thieves forced entry into the shops belonging to Deshraj and Ravi Patial in the Bizhari market. Approximately 50,000 rupees in cash along with garlands made of currency notes were stolen from Deshraj's shop, while five thousand rupees were taken from Ravi's establishment. They then targeted the nearby home of Surjit Singh.
At the time of the break-in, Surjit Singh and his family were away in Chandigarh to shop for the upcoming wedding. According to Surjit Singh, the intruders stole roughly 30 tola of gold jewelry and half a kilogram of silver ornaments from the house. The distraught family is currently in deep distress. A female member of the family tearfully shared that her husband had painstakingly saved every single penny through private employment and had never even bought himself an expensive suit. She warned that if the police fail to apprehend the thieves quickly, she would stage a protest by blocking the nearby road.
Barsar DSP Harish Guleria stated that police teams have thoroughly inspected the spot and are gathering clues to track down the criminals at the earliest. Authorities have urged residents to install CCTV cameras at their homes and shops to enhance local security measures.
Following the incident, local traders and business owners expressed strong resentment over the security situation. Ranjeet, president of the Bizhari Vyapar Mandal, along with other local traders, visited the Bizhari police post to demand an increase in police staffing. The traders pointed out that while regular night patrols used to take place in the market, patrolling has since dropped due to a shortage of personnel at the post. They also highlighted the active presence of drug-related elements in the area, urging law enforcement to exercise greater vigilance. While the shopkeepers discovered the burglaries at their establishments in the morning, the family learned of the break-in at their residence only by afternoon.
