Chain snatchers throw open challenge to cops in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Anti-social activities like chain snatching have become a huge menace for the residents of the Capital city with a spurt in the number of such incidents recently posing a daunting challenge for the Commissionerate Police.

On Tuesday, a teacher Smita Mishra of Patrapada area sustained critical injuries on her face and hands after she fell down while trying to save her valuables from snatchers.

Similarly, another woman, Minatilata Jena, living in Khandagiri area escaped a mishap when some bike-borne miscreants snatched her hand bag and she tried to resist them. As per reports, Jena was riding pillion on a motorbike on November 11 when some miscreants snatched her purse containing money and mobile phone near AG Square at around 6 pm.

“Keeping in view the snatching incidents, it seems people are not safe here. The loot could have been avoided had there are patrolling van nearby. Besides, valuables can be earned back but if someone losses his/her life that can’t be brought back,” said Smita.

“We could have fallen from the bike and died however we averted the mishap. One may become handicapped or even lose their eyes in such attacks,” Jena said.

In another instance on November 12, a CCTV footage showed two bike-borne men attempting to snatch a gold chain from a woman’s neck at Vivekananda Marg here. However, they were unsuccessful in their attempt.

In such cases, victims generally allege that the techniques adopted by the snatchers pose threat to their lives especially when they try to resist the loot.

Earlier this month, a gang had unleashed terror among people of the city particularly in Khandagiri area as the criminals looted cash worth over Rs 1.5 lakh, gold ornaments and other valuables in four separate incidents in a span of 24 hours.

The Commissionerate Police is yet to get any lead in the case, reports said. Although police have resorted to installing barricades and CCTVs at different places, the snatchers seem to adopt new ways to loot every time.

Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo has said that an investigation to nab the criminals is underway but so far no one has been identified.