Women take up lathis to combat Bengaluru's chainsnatchers

As the motorcycle borne robbers target women during early morning and evening hours, especially when they are busy with sweeping roads before their homes, this cruel act has sent shivers down the spines of Bengaluru womens. 

As a result in many areas, women are moving in groups for their daily walks, with lathis for protection.

Uma Muralidhar, President of the Waste Management Committee at Banaswadi Ist block Resident Welfare Association, says that two days ago one of her collegues was attacked by a bike borne thief in the evening. The women lost her gold chain, weighing 100 grams.

As such incidents are increasing and the police seem unable to protect the area, community policing has been intensified.

A five member committee has been formed to monitor in ten places in areas like Kalyannagar, which has a number of stages.

To protect themselves from being mugged and teased, the women here have been asked to carry a weapon like stick, umbrellas or walking sticks. The area has many trees and and it is low lit in a few corners and the culprits usually target women and old folks. If the women carry weapons, they can protect and later alert police, said Muralidhar.

Kavitha Reddy, another woman from HSR Layout in Bengaluru South, says law and order has become an issue in South Bengaluru as there are number of eateries and pubs operating in residential areas. She claimed that people under the influence of alcohol harass residents and there could be incidents of chain snatching and others. 

Police also agree that bike bore thieves are on the rise. 

We have already circulated a warning to all the areas and also held several awareness programmes at residential welfare association meetings through police inspectors about such thieves. The public also needs to be careful, said NS Meghrik, Bengaluru Police Commissioner.