Amritsar witnesses sharp rise in snatching incidents
Amritsar, the holy city visited by thousands of devotees and tourists daily, is witnessing an alarming rise in snatching incidents. Tourists are increasingly targeted by miscreants, with over 40 snatchings reported in the city and surrounding rural areas in the past month, including around a dozen cases in September alone.
Dubious distinction
- Sept 7: Deo Kumar Ram was assaulted and robbed of his purse and phone by three snatchers
- Sept 7: A woman devotee from Sirsa was looted by two bike-borne individuals
- Sept 7: Nitin Singh, an employee of a finance firm, was robbed of his phone and cash by two armed men near Jabbowal village
- Sept 6: Rajbir Kaur’s earring was snatched by three miscreants in Baba Bakala
- Sept 4: Ranjit Kaur and her husband were robbed of a bag while on way to buy medicines
- Sept 4: A mobile phone was snatched from Manjinder Singh near Sarovar Portico hotel
- Sept 4: Six armed men robbed Manasdeep of his brand-new bike near Lahori Mal bazaar
- Sept 4: Simranpreet’s scooter was stolen by three bike-borne snatchers near Gumtala flyover
- Sept 4: Akash was robbed of his laptop and phone at Lahori Gate
- Sept 3: Three armed snatchers looted ~40,000 from Harpreet Singh near Bhagtanwala grain market
- Sept 3: Rajiv Kumar’s mobile phone was snatched by some miscreants in Krishna Nagar
- Sept 1: Shalini Kumari’s mangal sutra was stolen in the Putlighar area
The increasing threat posed by snatchers highlights the urgent need for stronger preventive measures to ensure the safety of residents and tourists alike
Last year, three deaths were linked to such crimes, including that of Ganga Maya, a tourist from Sikkim. The snatchers, often armed with illegal pistols and sharp weapons like the ‘datar,’ have become increasingly dangerous, showing little hesitation in harming their victims.
On September 7, Deo Kumar Ram, a foreman at the Vallah Water Treatment Plant, was assaulted and robbed by three snatchers who struck him on the head with a pistol butt. They looted his purse containing cash, important documents, and a mobile phone. On the same day, a woman devotee from Sirsa, Haryana, was looted by two bike-borne snatchers while returning from the Golden Temple with her husband.
Many cases reportedly go unregistered as police allegedly discourage complainants from filing FIRs, preferring to record incidents as daily diary reports (DDRs). According to police sources, most snatchers are drug addicts who commit crimes to fund their addiction. While they are frequently arrested, many return to snatching after securing bail.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon claimed that the city police have ensured free and transparent registration of all reported incidents, with police teams swiftly responding to each case. He highlighted a high success rate in solving crimes, emphasising the department’s commitment to public safety.
