Though the incident occurred last month….it is fresh in my memory and I know it shall be there forever.During our stay in Delhi, my husband and I went out for an early morning walk. And so it happened on this fateful day, of course I had a lot of restrictions this time – not to sit in a park, only half hour and not more than that and so on…and
he willingly obliged and off we set for our morning walk.
Adhering to my restrictions, we were returning back home. Having entered our colony I noticed a two wheeler zip past us, something made me just tell to myself, the people in Delhi are really morning birds, out so early to start their work. How right I was. The bike made a U turn and came near us and within a few seconds, I found myself trying to call out to my husband who was few feet ahead of me. Words failed to come instantly. Finally a frantic attempt and I called out to him. He could not make out what I was telling? And at last the words stumbled out from my mouth – my chain….those guys on the bike have snatched my chain. They had already done a turn and were no longer within our vicinity. We just noticed that they wore helmets…so no recognition of anything at all – no idea, about what two wheeler they used – I thought it was a motorbike and my husband thought it was a bajaj chetak, no idea if it happened to be men or women. I just noticed that the pillion rider was wearing an orange shirt. With that information, nothing seemed bright at all. Tears streaming down, we entered our home, with my husband consoling me saying that I was indeed fortunate that they did not use anything so as to injure me in the process.
That afternoon, we had to visit a doctor. And there we noticed a group of people and a policeman had been called. Soon there arrived a jeep with three more policemen. One of the shop owner had called the police. Reason – 3 more chain snatching reported in that area. My husband took that chance to inform the police of that morning’s incident. Well it was just information to the police only – not that we expect any action whatsoever.( From what I heard, some of the police are hand in hand with the chain snatchers.) As I climbed up the stairs to return home, I found three ladies giving me a – we are of the same group smile – they were the 3 victims of that day. Smiling back, we returned home.
Well this episode could have been avoided – if and if only I had agreed to go to a nearby park and just enjoy nature, if and if only I had agreed to go for an hour’s walk rather than a half hour walk, if and if I had been on the left side of my husband giving little chance for the snatchers to get away with their booty.
And the best way to have avoided this incident was - if and only if I had paid heed to the caution given by my aunty and I had something to protect my neck.
Now I know it will be a regret that I will carry always.
5 comments:
I was all along thinking that Chennai alone had this menace.Snatching is worse than pickpokcketing as the latter is atleast done without any discomfort to and knowledge of the loser.
I hope you lodged an official complaint.In rare cases you get them back like my stolen car after a month at Delhi.
these people do their work so quickly that the victim gets no time to think...it's not your fault but such people should be punished!That can only happen if the police goes after them.Hope youre fine..sorry about the loss!
Looks like chain snatching by bike is no solitary incident but is rampant and victims are picked at random.. even this morning I read in the paper about 2 such incidents…
Often time, they get away with their haul… we got to be more alert on the roads, sidewalks and need to react quickly if at all something happens …
An updating after a long gap :P
There are daily stories from Kerala.There are youngsters who have made this in to a career.
Atleast you are safe! Thank God
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