Mangaluru: There have been so many cases of chain-snatching reported in the media in the recent past, so much so that a column might have to be reserved to report them on a daily basis.
In the latest incident, a woman from Bondantila on the outskirts, lost her four-and-a-half sovereign gold chain while on her way to work on Saturday morning. Shashikala (45), service representative of Shri Dharmasthala Rural Development programme, was walking from home towards Permanki to catch a bus.
Three persons overtook her in a bike and went over a small distance. After making sure that nobody else was around and that she was wearing a heavy gold chain, they turned the bike back and came close to her. One of them snatched her chain and sped away in the bike.
It is difficult to comprehend as to what, in spite of regular cautions issued in the media, makes women, the senior ones in particular, dare to wear expensive gold ornaments while moving about in deserted areas, especially early in the mornings and late evenings. Why their family members do not ensure that the seniors would not face risks or why the seniors are not being escorted is hard to understand.
On the other hand, why women have to invite trouble by wearing flashy and heavy gold ornaments when going to buy milk, vegetable or provisions is also something that everyone should think about. There would be people who might say the police are slack in their duty and that the law and order situation is deteriorating.
The police cannot be everywhere. It is the citizens’ duty to take care and precautions in the modern times, when greed takes the prime spot. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
The police have begun an awareness campaign asking people to take care. But it seems to be of not much use. The practice of wearing heavy gold in lonely areas continues and the chain-snatching incidents also are recurring.
When will we learn a lesson?
Never-ending ‘chain’!
