DEOGHAR,MAY 28: Organised groups of criminals from neighbouring Bihar have spread panic among the residents of this town considered the mythical home of Lord Baidyanath. Police are still groping for clues to the twin crimes yesterday — the abduction of a businessman followed by a bank robbery. Even after 24 hours, the Deoghar police were clueless about the whereabouts of the owner of the Hero Honda showroom, Ramgopal Gupta, who was kidnapped in broad daylight yesterday afternoon from the heart of the temple town. In another strike soon after, armed criminals looted the Koheridehi branch of Santhal Parganas Kshtriya Gramin Bank in Jasidih. The police believe criminals from neighbouring Jamui district in Bihar are responsible for the incidents. Angry businessmen threatened to take to the streets in protest against the delay to recover Gupta. Family sources of Gupta said the businessman was taken hostage around 12.30 pm when he was in his motorcycle showroom next to Gita Devi DAV School in Custered area. An unidentified man clad in police uniform came to the showroom and told Gupta that Deoghar superintendent of police Sidho Hembrom wanted to meet him immediately and that he should accompany him. A Maruti van was parked near the showroom and three other persons were sitting inside. “My father went with them. After he left, we smelt a rat and rushed to the SP’s office,” said Gupta’s eldest son. Their worst fears were confirmed when Hembrom denied having summoned the businessman. The family members are convinced that Gupta was abducted, but till this 6 this evening, were yet to receive any phone call or message from the abductors. The second attack occurred around the same time when three armed criminals looted the SPKGB branch at Koheridehi under Jasidih police station in the district. Eyewitness said the three youths entered the bank around 12.30 pm and robbed Rs 1,82,890 after overpowering the manager and cashier. The incident took place in full view of the public and the criminals were said to have fled towards the Bihar border. Local people alleged that the police reached the spot after several hours, by which time the robbers must have made their getaway. The twin crimes have sent shockwaves through the town. Youth Congress leader Pancham Mishra alleged that due to ineffective policing, criminals from Bihar find it easy to operate in Deoghar. Citing several recent incidents, Mishra demanded adequate security arrangements in the bordering areas. Rajesh Sultaniya, a young entrepreneur, echoed the demand and alleged that due to poor security arrangements, gangsters from outside have turned Deoghar into their happy hunting ground.