Back-to-back crimes have become the order of the day in the capital after the May 6 general elections in Ranchi Parliamentary seat, which could imply laxity in policing.

On Thursday, a trio stabbed and critically injured one Manu Lohra at Peepartoli, Argora, which led to angry residents protesting on the road over daylight lawlessness.

Police called the stabbing a case of sudden flare-up during a heated discussion among friends. A locality resident, however, called it an example of rising morale of criminals. “Youths sit with knives and firearms at public places, smoking and drinking, doing whatever they want. They take police for granted,” the resident of Peepartoli, not wanted to be quoted, said.

Daylight is no deterrent to crimes. A broad daylight loot took place in Khelgaon thana area on May 27, when armed men looted Rs 12.5 lakh in cash from a firm selling poultry items, after injuring its manager with the butt of a pistol. Culprits haven’t been traced. On May 24 morning, Rs 8 lakh in cash was looted from two staffers of a wholesale vegetable dealer seated in an auto at Circular Road in Lalpur by two armed men on a bike.

Earlier on, the gold chains of two women were wrenched off, one in front of Mecon office, Doranda thana area, and another at Karbala Chowk, Lower Bazar thana, on May 20 morning. Snatchers have not been arrested.

The same day, police recovered the body of one Md Afzal, 26, with his throat slit from Dongri Pahar under Pundag thana area. Later two persons were arrested in this connection.

On May 15, the semi-naked male body of land dealer, Dilip Kumar Nag, 30, was recovered from Simalia, 25km from the city under Ratu thana area. Police said Nag’s illicit relationship with a married woman led to the murder. But, no arrests have taken place.

On May 14, nine including officer-in-charge of Ratu police station sustained injury in a clash between two communities late last night at Simalia, about 20km from the city under Ratu police station area.

Chain snatching incidents at Gokul Dham, Bariatu, and Chandni Chowk, Kanke, took place on May 13 and 11, respectively.

On May 9, one Md Ahbab Khan was shot dead at Imli Chowk in Harmu, Argora thana area.

Ranchi SSP Anish Gupta admitted to a rise in crimes but claimed investigations were on and arrests did take place. “Last night (Wednesday) police arrested Md Naseem of Choreya in Chanho thana area, who had been accused in the May 24 loot in Lalpur. The accused in the May 9 murder case at Argora have surrendered,” he said.

SSP Gupta added that teams had been formed to check snatching incidents. Some snatchers had been arrested. Today’s incident (Thursday) was a fight among friends. However, we have told our personnel to stay alert and increase patrolling,” he said.