<p>As security forces remain busy with security arrangements for the elections, criminals in Agra seem to be having a field day. In less than a month, four women living alone in the city have been murdered.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Several shopkeepers and traders have been shot and looted. In Dhuliaganj area, a shopkeeper was shot in the afternoon a week ago and Rs 65,000 snatched from him. A generator dealer in Vijay Nagar colony was similarly shot at the national highway and he was robbed.<br /><br />Similar incidents have been reported in the past week from Idgah Colony, Ram Bagh Colony, Balkeshwar Colony. On Friday, three major incidents of looting and burglary were reported within a span of two hours. Jewellers seem to have become a favourite target. Rajesh Kalyani, of the Spices Market of Rawat Para, said police were not able to cope with the rise in crime. <br /><br />"The criminals are roaming free and openly threatening the merchants. The gangsters and petty criminals are utilising this opportunity to their advantage," said hotelier Surendra Sharma.<br /><br />Nobody is safe in Agra these days, say the residents. A delegation of businessmen and members of merchant chambers met Inspector General of Police (IG) P K Tiwari and Deputy Inspector General of Police Aseem Arun on Saturday and presented a memorandum listing their grievances. <br /><br />They vented their anger over an attack on a businessman and his son, residents of Moti Ganj some time back. The father is fighting for life at Medant Hospital. They have demanded firm action against the criminals. <br /><br />Inspector General Tiwari explained that adequate police force was not available for routine duties because of the election process. <br /><br />But he assured the traders that full security will be provided to the people.<br /></p>
<p>As security forces remain busy with security arrangements for the elections, criminals in Agra seem to be having a field day. In less than a month, four women living alone in the city have been murdered.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Several shopkeepers and traders have been shot and looted. In Dhuliaganj area, a shopkeeper was shot in the afternoon a week ago and Rs 65,000 snatched from him. A generator dealer in Vijay Nagar colony was similarly shot at the national highway and he was robbed.<br /><br />Similar incidents have been reported in the past week from Idgah Colony, Ram Bagh Colony, Balkeshwar Colony. On Friday, three major incidents of looting and burglary were reported within a span of two hours. Jewellers seem to have become a favourite target. Rajesh Kalyani, of the Spices Market of Rawat Para, said police were not able to cope with the rise in crime. <br /><br />"The criminals are roaming free and openly threatening the merchants. The gangsters and petty criminals are utilising this opportunity to their advantage," said hotelier Surendra Sharma.<br /><br />Nobody is safe in Agra these days, say the residents. A delegation of businessmen and members of merchant chambers met Inspector General of Police (IG) P K Tiwari and Deputy Inspector General of Police Aseem Arun on Saturday and presented a memorandum listing their grievances. <br /><br />They vented their anger over an attack on a businessman and his son, residents of Moti Ganj some time back. The father is fighting for life at Medant Hospital. They have demanded firm action against the criminals. <br /><br />Inspector General Tiwari explained that adequate police force was not available for routine duties because of the election process. <br /><br />But he assured the traders that full security will be provided to the people.<br /></p>