Late Night Horror Show

NOT SAFE
LATE NIGHT HORROR SHOW
City roads are becoming increasingly dangerous after dark. Why?
The Times of India

NOT too long ago, you could return home from work at 11 pm or that second show and not really worry about being mugged. It’s different now. Instances of motorists being attacked at night are on the rise. Though the police department maintains that the crime rate in the city has not increased, residents are increasingly anxious.

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
People are being followed, intimidated, mugged and attacked. Recently, fashion expert Krishnamani who was returning home around 11 pm, after dropping a friend, was attacked right in front of her doorstep. Just as she was getting out of her vehicle, the assailants — young, welldressed men who were driving a silver car, took her purse and her mobile and tried to drag her out. She says, “I held on to the steering wheel and didn’t let go. I was screaming so much, they finally drove away. Bangalore was not like this ten years ago.”

WHEN AND HOW:
People are getting mugged while stopping to make or answer a phone call, when they are driving or riding alone, when they stop to ask for directions, or when they stop to help someone on the road. Vehicle breakdowns have also seen people being attacked. A family of four, who stopped to replace a punctured tyre, were attacked and robbed of their valuables recently.

WHERE IT’S HAPPENING:
Ring roads, lonely stretches of road, arterial roads... even in residential areas. A software engineer who was talking on his cell phone outside his house in Koramangala, was threatened at knife-point by three men on a motorcycle and robbed of his phone. Most gang attacks however, have been in far-flung areas.

WHY IT’S HAPPENING:
“Lack of policing. Where are the beat police when you need them? If the police are more visible, it won’t happen,” says Akanksha Nayak, a software engineer who works late hours. “Many streets are still not lit well enough and visibility is a problem. Something like this won’t happen on MG Road because it is well lit. Criminals know that more people are working late and going out late these days so they are getting bolder,” says Ashwin Jacob, a techie.

WHAT IS LATE?
Harini Kota, sport academy professional says, “It’s happening in the day too. My friend was in an auto around mid-afternoon, at a traffic signal. She was on her mobile when a young man on a twowheeler snatched her phone and drove away. After hearing about so many things happening to people I know, I am anxious.” Incidents of attacks even around 8 pm or 9 pm are being reported. “A friend and her colleague were on Hosur Road around 8.30 pm. They stopped their car to ask for directions. Suddenly, they were surrounded by a gang on bikes who took their money and car keys. Her colleague’s leg was slashed, she was hit and they even tried misbehaving with her,” says media professional Kiran N.

NO VEHICLE IS SAFE:
Don’t think your fourwheeler is a fortress or that you can ride your two-wheeler out of trouble. Even if you have someone with you, it still may not be safe enough. Says Akanksha, “One gang recently attacked a call centre vehicle. They were on bikes, but seeing a big vehicle full of people didn’t stop them. Don’t ever stop or pull over. It’s far too dangerous.”

NO MORE LATE NIGHTS?
Jacob says, “Many attacks against techies have been reported, what are the police doing?” Krishnamani adds, “I’m too scared to go out now. I haven’t gone out since I was attacked. But this is not possible indefinitely.”

STAY OUT OF DANGER...
Security expert PK Vij says it is best to travel with a friend or in a group. “Use well-lit and well travelled routes. If you sense trouble, listen to your instincts. If you are in a threatening situation, call the police immediately. If you can’t, scream or do something to grab attention like pressing your vehicle horn. If the incident has already taken place, file a police complaint as soon as possible.”