Srinagar, A rising wave of pickpocketing incidents has left commuters distressed along the bustling stretch from Lal Bazar to Nowhatta in Srinagar, with several passengers reporting thefts inside public transport vehicles, particularly during rush hours.
Residents from various localities in the downtown area say they have either fallen victim to or witnessed brazen acts of pickpocketing aboard mini-buses and passenger cabs. Mobile phones, wallets, and cash are the most common items being stolen, especially during peak school and office hours when vehicles are overcrowded.
“I was travelling from Lal Bazar to Nowhatta when I felt someone brush past me inside the packed bus. Moments later, I realised my wallet was missing,” said Bilal Ahmad, a local shopkeeper. “When I raised the alarm, the suspects had already alighted at the previous stop.”
Several women and students have also come forward with similar complaints, adding that such incidents have become frequent in recent weeks. Some even claimed that they were targeted while entering or exiting vehicles when their attention was diverted.
Many commuters expressed frustration over the lack of patrolling or preventive action from local police, especially on routes known to be most vulnerable.
Locals have urged the police to take urgent steps, including deploying undercover personnel, increasing CCTV surveillance in busy areas, and launching awareness campaigns to educate passengers about safeguarding their belongings.
Meanwhile, transporters also acknowledged that pickpocketing has become a concern but claimed they are unable to monitor all passengers due to the sheer volume of commuters during peak hours.
