In Roorkee, Uttarakhand a shocking incident of chain snatching in broad daylight has left local residents concerned about their safety.
The crime took place in the Civil Lines Kotwali area, near the Panchayati Dharamshala of Roorkee, right outside the Jain temple. The entire episode, which lasted barely 19 seconds, was captured on a CCTV camera and has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion and fear in the community.
Incident Details
On the morning of the incident, Manju Jain and her husband arrived at the Jain temple of Roorkee on their scooter to offer prayers. As Manju got off the scooter and began walking towards the temple entrance, two masked men on a motorcycle followed closely behind. The video footage shows that the thieves had likely been tracking the couple for some time, waiting for the right moment to strike1.
As soon as Manju was about to enter the temple, the motorcycle stopped behind her. One of the men quickly got off the bike and rushed towards Manju. In a swift move, he snatched the gold chain from around her neck. Without wasting a moment, he ran back to the motorcycle, hopped on, and both men sped away from the scene. The entire act was executed so quickly that Manju’s husband had not even finished parking their scooter before the thieves escaped.
Value of the Stolen Chain and Immediate Aftermath
The stolen gold chain is reported to be worth several lakhs of rupees, with estimates suggesting a value of around five lakh rupees. The theft has not only caused financial loss but also left the victims and the local community pf Roorkee is traumatized. The incident occurred in broad daylight, highlighting the boldness of the criminals and raising concerns about public safety in the area.
After the crime, Manju and her husband immediately informed the Roorkee Police. Officers arrived at the scene soon after and launched a search for the culprits. Despite their efforts, the police were unable to locate the thieves in the immediate aftermath. The only clue they had was the CCTV footage, which clearly showed the faces of the masked men and the details of the motorcycle they used.
Police Response and Community Reaction
The Roorkee Police have since been working to identify and track down the suspects using the CCTV video as their primary lead. They are analyzing the footage to gather more information about the appearance of the thieves and the bike’s details. Efforts are also being made to check other cameras in the vicinity for additional clues that might help trace the escape route of the criminals.
The incident has caused panic among local residents of Roorkee, especially given that it happened so close to a place of worship and in a busy area. Many people are now demanding increased police patrolling and better security measures around temples and other public spaces to prevent such incidents in the future.
Broader Context and Similar Incidents
Chain snatching and similar crimes have been reported in other parts of Uttarakhand as well. For instance, in the Sidcul area, another woman was robbed of her gold chain at gunpoint, and a separate attempt was made to snatch a chain from a woman in Shivalik Nagar. These incidents suggest a worrying trend of rising street crimes, with criminals often targeting women and elderly people for their valuables.
In some cases, such as a recent series of arrests in Dehradun, police have found that the motivation behind such crimes is often linked to drug addiction and the need for quick money. Stolen items are typically sold off cheaply, and the proceeds are used to fund addictions or gambling habits. This pattern underscores the need for both effective law enforcement and broader social interventions to address the root causes of such crimes.
Conclusion
The Roorkee chain snatching incident is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by urban communities in ensuring the safety of their residents. The swift and brazen manner in which the crime was carried out—right outside a temple and in the presence of CCTV cameras—shows the confidence of the criminals and the urgent need for improved security measures. As the police continue their investigation, the community hopes for a quick resolution and stronger preventive steps to curb such crimes in the future
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