Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, May, 06
Shiv Sena Hindustan J&K President Pt Rajesh Kesri today expressed serious concern over rising cases chain snatching in Jammu and appealed to the Police and other controlling agencies to take strict action against those involved in such crimes.Addressing a press conference here today, Kesri said that on every other day, we hear about crimes like snatching, thefts etc. “The administration needs to ponder over it seriously so that Jammu which is known as City of Temples can be kept free from all these crimes,” Kesri said, adding, if adequate steps are not taken timely, the day is not far when it will become difficult for people to move around Jammu city.He said thefts and drug smuggling were already common in Jammu city and now due to chain snatching cases, women fear to move alone while wearing costly jewellery and now gangsters have started ruling the roost here. The street are not equipped with street lights which causes darkness and hence makes it easier for the culprits to commit this crime.Kesri further said that there is a suspected gang which has been identified by various victims of chain snatching. They have also complained about them to the local police, but no prominent action has been taken yet.
This has encouraged the gang and such incidents have become a normal thing to take place. What is appalling is the involvement of youngsters and students in chain-snatching incidents. Even more baffling is that some of the offenders are from well-to-do families and they are indulging in this crime to meet their lavish lifestyle requirements particularly drugs. The offenders usually target women walking alone in colonies and empty roads in rural areas. They arrive in high-end bikes from nowhere and snatch gold chains and disappear in a jiffy. To strike on their prey, they use bikes without number plates or irregular plates and venture into areas where there are no CC cameras.
Kesri said “Gold can be converted into money easily. Many gold finance companies and even local pawn-brokers are now offering money against gold within minutes. The chain-snatchers sell the stolen jewellery to gullible brokers and make a few thousands in a short time. This is what drives many youngsters into these crimes and also a reason for the spurt in such cases”, Kesri observed.
