Villagers in Gurua block of Gaya district are grappling with a surge in theft incidents, leading them to take matters into their own hands. Residents of Paluhara village have started night patrols, stopping people on roads passing through their village and even checking Aadhaar cards for identification.

According to Gurua Station House Officer Manesh Kumar, approximately 25 theft cases have been registered at the Gurua police station between January and October 2026. However, numerous other complaints of submersible motor, bike, and house thefts are surfacing from dozens of villages, many of which are yet to be officially confirmed or have FIRs lodged.

Villages significantly affected by these thefts include Barma, Birhima, Paluhara, Erur, Itahari, Rajan, Phesra, Naudiha, Bilauti, Jalpa, Atopur, Gurua Bazar, Akothra, Sahopur, Kalauna, and Makhdumpur. Paluhara villagers are particularly active, stopping individuals on the road connecting Sherghati to Gurua via Paluhara, questioning them, and verifying their identities using Aadhaar cards or other ID proofs. They also contact acquaintances by phone if needed for confirmation and report any suspicious activity to the police.

SHO Manesh Kumar clarified that villagers have not been given any official directive to conduct road checks. He stated that the villagers are undertaking these patrols for their own security. This situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of the police in curbing the escalating crime rate in the area.