Pockpockets target trade fair visitors

NEW DELHI - Thieves and pickpockets are targeting visitors at the 30th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), from where at least three complaints are being received daily, a police officer said Sunday.

According to sources, gangs of women thieves and pickpockets from Delhi and neighbouring states are active in the Nov 14-27 fair which was thrown open to general visitors Nov 19.

Mostly on the weekends they have a field day with over one lakh people thronging the trade fair and many carrying cash. It is becoming difficult for us to keep a tab on them, said the police officer, pleading anonymity.

On Sunday, the fair saw a record footfall of over 1.5 lakh, he said.

A senior police officer posted at the fair venue, Pragati Maidan, said most of the thieves and pickpockets were women working in a well organised and systematic manner.

Some victims blamed police laxity for the menace. I caught two women red-handed stealing the purse of my daughter on Wednesday. When we went to policemen at the venue, no one bothered to help us. But we gave a complaint in the Tilak Marg police station, Naresh Kumar, a visitor, told IANS.

Denying laxity, Menakshi Sharma, a duty officer at a temporary Pragati Maidan police station near gate number 5, said that around 5,000 police personnel were on duty.

About 25 police personnel are deployed in each pavilion in civil dress for a tight vigil,” she said.

Speaking to IANS, a senior police officer said: It is huge area and we are doing our best to provide security. We would suggest people remain alert and avoid carrying too much cash or valuables.”