Five armed criminals stormed Om Sai Jewellery Shop in Jamapur market, Siwan district, Bihar, on Wednesday afternoon at around 2 pm, looting gold and silver ornaments along with cash worth nearly ₹20 lakh. The brazen heist, which unfolded under the Jiradei police station area, has triggered sharp public anger over the state of law and order in the region, particularly given that a police camp sits barely 500 metres from the crime scene.

How the Robbery Unfolded

According to officials, the five miscreants arrived on two Apache motorcycles and entered the shop brandishing firearms. They held shop owner Tinku Sonar and others present at gunpoint before making off with gold and silver ornaments as well as cash. After looting the premises, the criminals exited in a brazen manner and fired nearly 10 rounds in the air to spread panic and deter pursuit, sending shockwaves through the busy Jamapur market. The sudden gunfire triggered chaos, with shoppers and traders scrambling for safety.

Public Intervenes, One Robber Caught

Despite the threat of armed criminals, local shopkeepers and villagers showed remarkable courage. They quickly mobilised, surrounded the area, and managed to apprehend one of the fleeing robbers. The accused has been identified as Golu Kumar Yadav, a resident of Siwan. The enraged crowd reportedly beat the apprehended criminal, and the two motorcycles used in the crime were set ablaze. However, the remaining four accused managed to escape amid the commotion.

Questions Over Police Presence

What has further intensified public anger is the proximity of a police camp — located barely 500 metres from Om Sai Jewellery Shop — to the crime scene. The incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness and responsiveness of local policing in the area. Upon receiving information, a large police force — reportedly over 100 personnel — was rushed to the spot and has since been deployed in the surrounding area. Raids are currently underway to nab the four absconding criminals.

Prior Reconnaissance Suspected

Shop owner Tinku Sonar stated that a large stock of jewellery had been kept at the shop owing to the ongoing wedding season. He suggested that the criminals appeared to have been aware of this, indicating possible prior reconnaissance. Police have recovered a magazine, one live cartridge, and two dead cartridges from the crime scene. An FIR has been lodged against five individuals, and the investigation is ongoing. This incident is the latest in a series of high-profile armed robberies that have raised questions about policing effectiveness in rural Bihar.