Miscreants released from jail behind spurt in chain snatching cases?

HYDERABAD: A spurt in chain snatching offences is being witnessed in Rachakonda police limits of late. Police believe this is due to the release of a large number of miscreants who were earlier arrested and remanded  under Preventive Detention Act, from prisons. From January till October 2017, a total of 226 snatching offenses have been registered in Rachakonda commissionerate. 

In Malkajgiri zone about 63 snatching cases were reported since January out of which 46 were gold chains. In LB Nagar zone, 133 cases were reported among which 37 cases were gold theft and in Yadadri Bhongir zone around 30 cases of snatching were reported including 17 gold chains. However, the overall detection in these cases is just 43 per cent.  In the last three weeks, around eight offenses of chain snatching were reported at Saroornagar, Chaitanyapuri and Vanasthalipuram areas. The incidents were reported mostly during the day time and in the isolated by lanes, where women were walking alone.  Whereas in Hyderabad and Cyberabad, 45 and 102 cases of chain snatching have been registered. 

The senior police officials of Rachakonda commissionerate who have been strenuously chalking out plans to nab the culprits have found a common reason behind. The snatchers who were arrested and put in jail under Preventive Detention (PD) Act have been released and are on prowl. Speaking to Express, a senior police officer said “After analysing the pattern and modus operandi of the incidents, it is understood that two gangs are committing offenses in Rachakonda area. One gang is moving in Uppal region and another moving in Chaitanyapuri region.”

The official said that an old offender who was booked under PD Act has recently been released and is suspected to be behind the offenses. Once the offender is caught, the police would be able to nab the entire gang, he said. In an incident on Thursday, a woman identified as Anjamma who was walking towards home at Abhyudaya Nagar in Vanasthalipuram was targeted by the chain snatchers. Two bike-borne snatchers have took away the 2.5 tolas weighing gold chain worn by the Anjamma. 

“The accused in the recent offenses are similar to those who were earlier caught from old city area. The local police has to keep a close vigil on the crooks once they got released. We can not go and check their houses,” police added. The official said that special teams are on the job to nab the suspects and soon they would make arrests.