Kalyan, Sep 15: Amid festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year, many incidences of theft have been reported from several areas in Mumbai. Reports inform that thieves have been targeting shoppers at the crowded streets in APMC market, the biggest flower market at Kalyan. According to a report by TOI, robbers have easily managed to target people during the festive season and have stolen nearly 28 cellphones of devotees.

Pickpocketers have been taking advantage of the massive crowd and have a field day. The Bazarpeth police in Kalyan have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the incident. To prevent such thefts, policemen have been maintaining a vigil in the market in the civil dress until the festive season concludes.

A special team has been formed to nab the culprits. According to the TOI report, all 28 mobile phones were stolen between 7 am and 8 pm when people from Kalyan and surrounding areas including Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Titwala and Murbad had come to buy flowers at APMC. While speaking to TOI, a complainant named Arun Mahatre said when he came out of the market after buying flowers, he realized that his cellphone was missing from his pocket.

The pickpocketers are smart enough to escape from the crowded stalls without anyone even doubting about the theft. Ramesh Ambare, a resident of Netivali area in Kalyan informed that his mobile phone was stolen before he bought the flowers. In another such complaint, an Ulhasnagar-based businessman’s motorcycle was also stolen. In his complaint, Bhatia said when he came out of the market premises after buying flowers, his motorcycle had disappeared.

The assistant commissioner of police, D B Kamble of Kalyan said, “We have deployed cops in civil dress and we have started making continuous announcements in the market urging shoppers to safeguard their valuables.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2018 03:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).