Bangalore high on ‘mugging’; over 40 cases reported monthly

Bangalore high on ‘mugging’; over 40 cases reported monthly
Friday October 19 2007 00:00 IST

Soumya Menon

BANGALORE: Bangalore seems to be in the grip of a mugging spree. Three mugging cases were reported in the City in two days, where businessmen, a software engineer and a student were robbed, stabbed and assaulted in broad daylight.

Bangalore witnesses over 40 robbery cases every month, out of which at least 10 to 15 of them will be robberies involving lakhs of money. Senior police officials say victims are also be partly blamed for such incidents as they do not take precautions.

Admitting that there has been an increase in robbery cases, police officials said people need to be more alert to ensure that they do not become victims of antisocial elements, who divert the attention of the victims and rob them.

Compared to the number of cases reported since 2003, this year has shown an increase in robbery cases. Over 300 cases have already been reported in 2007 and there has been a high between August and October.

The most recent case was of a businessman Pankaj Singh, who was abducted, stabbed and robbed of all his valuables, including the car. This was followed by another incident, in which student Sunil Maurya was robbed of Rs 10 lakh at BR Ambedkar Medical College. His father and an agent, who had promised him of a seat in the college, too, were stabbed and assaulted.

On the same day, an engineer was abducted at Silk Board Junction. He was robbed and assaulted by a gang of four men.

STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY BANKS

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Gopal B Hosur told this website's newspaper that the Police Department had alerted banks, business establishments, cinemas and other public places, that they have to ensure that suspicious people do not enter their premises.

“We have directed banks to have a security guard at the doorway, who has to check every person entering the bank. People coming for genuine transactions alone should be allowed inside,” he said.

He said the police department has issued notices to banks, theatres, hotels and any place which has a large congregation of people, to install CCTV cameras, to prevent such thefts and robberies. “This is also a step for anti-terrorist measures,” said Hosur.

PUBLIC SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS According to Hosur, people should be extra cautious while travelling with lots of money.

“The mistakes they make is to travel alone, stop to assist hitch hikers, travel in deserted areas and also fall for attention divertors. They should be alert and avoid such situations,” he said. People should not carry lump sums and if they do, they should be accompanied by at least a couple of people.

“They should not give way to attention divertors, should avoid giving lifts to people,'' said Hosur.

Some of the tactics robbers use: follow victims from banks, commercial places, jewellery showrooms, divert attention by throwing currencies on the road and then snatch the bag containing money, puncture car tyre and when the man is checking it, they take the bag away.