'Beware of chain snatchers in Udupi'

SP asks victims to inform police immediately

In the backdrop of increase in the cases related to chain snatching, the district police have taken measures to create awareness among women to protect themselves from possible attack.

Speaking to media persons, Superintendent of Police Dr Y S Ravikumar informed that the district police has taken stringent action towards nabbing the culprits involved in crime besides creating awareness among women for the required measures to be adopted.

He said three to four chain snatching cases were reported in Udupi in the last three to four months.

 “We request women not to go alone in those areas where movement of people is less. Let women not wear heavy jewllery unless it is very important. The women should approach nearby police station at the earliest with the vehicle numbers. If not vehicle numbers, they should make note of the model of the vehicle which was used by the miscreants.The victims can also immediately dial the police control room number 100 which is monitored for 24 hours, he added.

The message will be delivered immediately through wireless to all the check posts. The first 10 to 15 minutes following the incident is crucial that helps out to nab the culprit. Measures are taken to analyze the modus operandi involved in the crime by the chain snatchers. In some cases, the criminals use some tactics to divert the attention of women and they are made to believe untrue stories.

On Friday, a fresh case was reported near Krishna mutt, in which a woman’s chain was snatched by a bike rider. However, the complaint was registered after one hour, Ravikumar said and added there is information regarding three separate gangs comprising 5 to 6 members operating behind chain snatching cases, he said.

Prithvi suicide

To a query on athlete Prithvi Amparu’s suspicious suicide case, Ravikumar said the detailed documents are sent to verification to the experts. The process of investigation is deferred owing to the delayed report from the experts. Referring to the twin murder case of Kini couple at Parampalli, he said: “We are investigating into all angles.”  On theft of laptops in Manipal University campus, the SP said: “We have informed the people concerned to notify the registration number and identity of the students with the computer sets that has been provided to them. The person who steals can not sell the laptop.”

No naxals

Dr Ravikumar said that there was no information on the movement of Naxal for the last three months in the district. Combing operations are carried out in all the naxal infested areas of the district, he added.