No end to spate of chain snatching, fear psychosis grips Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Women in Hyderabad fear stepping out of their home because of the increasing incidents of chain snatching being reported in the city. Concerned over the security, police have now launched massive checking and search operations across the city to nab the culprits.

As Madhavi, a resident, gets ready to step out of her house, she makes sure she leaves behind all her gold ornaments. The CCTV visuals of recent chain snatching incidents have terrified women in Hyderabad. Be it on a busy road or right in front of the house, chain snatching incidents by bike-borne gangs are being reported from across the city. As a result, women have stopped wearing gold chains or at the most wear a very thin one which is not visible.

Madhavi said, "I am very scared. I leave my jewellery at home. Mangalsutra has a sentimental value. Also we can get injured, so I take precaution."

Women have been advised to be alert even in a busy locality. Many housing colony associations have issued advisory listing precautionary measures like to leave heavy gold jewellery at home and walk in groups. Various associations are even planning to approach police to increase police patrolling and GHMC to ensure proper street lighting to avoid any incident.

Reacting to the spate of chain snatching, Major Shiva Kiran, Vice-President of United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations said, “It is very concerning. We have asked women to be cautious when bikes are passing by. Also requesting the police to strengthen police presence across the city."

More than 400 incidents of chain snatching have been reported in Hyderabad this year. Recently, Hyderabad Police busted two inter-state notorious chain-snatching gangs from Maharashtra who were involved in at least 30 chain-snatching cases. But as chain snatching cases continue unabated in the city, police has launched massive search operation across city. Specially two wheelers like bike are being checked at various junctions and action is being taken against those who fail to provide identity documents. Even after aggressive police action to nab culprits, women in the city do not feel safe and live in fear.