Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on street crime during the Rath Yatra, the police have arrested as many as 103 snatchers in Odisha’s Puri city.

The cops have arrested the snatchers during a coordinated campaign against snatching and pickpocketing in the Holy City during the annual mega event.

“The Odisha Police has launched a campaign against street crime during the Rath Yatra in Puri. Members of the anti-snatching squads and plain-clothed police personnel have been deployed at several places in the city. Altogether 103 snatchers have been arrested in the first two days of the festival,” said a police officer.

The cops have seized altogether 203 stolen mobile phones from the arrested snatchers. The seized devices will be returned to their rightful owners after the completion of the legal process, added the official.

Members of the anti-snatching squads and plain-clothed cops have been deployed at the Grand Road, beach, bus stands, railway station and other key locations in Puri as part of the campaign against street crime during the Rath Yatra, revealed Odisha Police.

Besides, the police officials are conducting round-the-clock surveillance in the Holy City through the CCTVs installed on the Grand Road and other vantage points, it added.

“The devotees should remain extremely vigilant for safe custody of their mobile phones, wallets, ornaments and other belongings during the Rath Yatra. They should immediately alert the police personnel about any suspicious element in their surroundings,” said the Odisha Police in a statement.