Binod Prasad
Lohardaga
A daring daylight robbery attempt at a jewellery shop in Lohardaga’s busy Upper Bazaar was foiled on Thursday evening after the shop owner displayed remarkable courage and overpowered one of the armed suspects. According to preliminary information, two men entered Khatri Jewellers posing as customers around 5 p.m. They asked to see gold ornaments and engaged the shop owner, Sanjay Khatri, in conversation. Moments later, one of the suspects allegedly pulled out a country-made firearm and attempted to rob the shop. Sensing the danger, Sanjay Khatri confronted the armed assailant and wrestled with him. During the struggle, he managed to snatch the weapon from the suspect. Seeing the plan fail, the second accused rushed out of the shop, and both men fled on a motorcycle through a nearby lane. Police from the Sadar Police Station reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. The country-made firearm seized by the shop owner was taken into police custody. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the area and have launched raids to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects. The sensational incident in one of the town’s busiest commercial areas triggered panic among traders and local residents. A large number of people gathered outside the shop following the attempted robbery, raising concerns over security in the marketplace. During the preliminary investigation, police also learned that one of the suspects had reportedly visited the same jewellery shop about a week earlier, posing as a customer and spending considerable time examining ornaments without making any purchase. Investigators suspect the visit was part of a planned reconnaissance before the attempted robbery. Police expressed confidence that the accused would be arrested soon based on CCTV footage and other evidence collected during the investigation.
