Rising crimes numb Koramangalites

Rising crimes numb Koramangalites
KORAMANGALA CHECK

KORAMANGALA, one of the posh areas of Bangalore today , is also known to be den for IT professionals. Of late, the area is in news for all the wrong reasons. Robbery , burglary and the like incidents are the order of the day . While the price of plots in Koramangala are on the rise, the risk involved in residing in this area is also increasing. BVT finds out the reason as to why this area has become the dome of such anti-social activities and the solutions to cope with this regular problem.

RESIDENTS RUE

Koramangala not only shelters local Kannadigas, but also people coming from different parts of the country . A known fact is that lots of IT guys, call centre people and of course other young professionals are attracted to the glamour of this place and prefer to reside here in rented apartments. "When I rented a house here, with my friends a year ago , I never realised the risks involved in staying here," says Abhishek Ganguly , an IT professional and a victim of robbery . As the job demands, many get late on their way back home from office. "The office cab drops me off on the main street at night, from where my home is some 60 footsteps. The thieves must have kept track of me for a few days and finally robbed my of my cellphone last month," says Sabita Mathew , a call centre employee. Most of the victims agree to it that the culprits are from the nearby area.

AUTHORITIES SPEAK

Mohan, the corporator of Koramangala, said, "W e have organised several meetings in association with the police, residents’ associations and senior citizens’ group in order to find a solution to the rising crime in Koramangala. But, these didn’t help , as I believe that a few constables have connections with the criminals and with their aid and assistance crime is increasing. Besides, the police force in thi part of the City is weak." The residents of K oramangala have also tried their hands at curbing the crime, as Ram M urthy , secretary of Koramangala Civic Residents’ Society , said, "Previously , we had organised a neighbourhood watch at night, but none of the neighbours came forward for it. F or the last four years, we have had meetings with the police once a month, which we plan to resume again. Maybe this can keep a tab on the crimes in the area."

POLICE INITIATIVES

While cases of chain snatching, burglary and robbery are becoming rampant, police authorities are also trying to pull up their socks. "Koramangala is inhabited by a mixed population, mainly dominated by IT professionals, and the crime rate is high here. Soon, we will be introducing a new system of security in Madiwala, where it will be a public-police-participation. The same police officials will be around the same area for six months from now and public are requested to inform them about any individual, who comes under their suspect list," said Alok K umar , deputy commissioner of police (South). He added that for the new system to be successful, ’we need to motivate police personnel at the ground-level’.

However , Nagaraj, the assistant commissioner of police, Madiwala sub-division, blamed the presence of slums in Lakshmanraonagar , Rajendranagar and Ambedkarnagar , which are adjacent to Koramangala, for the increasing number of crimes here. "F or the past 10 years, this area is prone to crime as mainly affluent people reside here.

Recently , after commercialisation of the area and after the advent of software companies, the rate of theft and robbery has increased. But the police with their limited strength are trying their level best to keep it under control," says Nagaraj. He pointed out that four cases of robbery had been registered in the last two months and all the four have been solved.

To increase police patrolling round the clock.

To keep a tab on suspicious elements and movements of habitual offenders.

T ugh treatment’ to the accused to deter them from such acts.

Lodge a complaint with the nearby police station immediately after a robbery .

Don’t enter tain strangers.

Be aler t, and keep a watch on any new neighbour or suspect.

Don’t show off valuables.

Avoid going alone at night.

Inform someone about your whereabouts.