Bengaluru not safe for women, thieves rule streets!

BENGALURU: It looks like the claims made by the city police that they have made city streets safer for women carry little conviction. Recently Swati (name changed), a 30-year-old software professional was allegedly waylaid and robbed of her mobile phone by two bike-borne men while she was walking home. Displaying presence of mind she stopped a biker and chased the duo down for over a kilometre, but in vain.

The incident took place on last Monday in MEG Colony in Jai Bharath Nagar Road around 9 pm. Swati, was walking home from nearby place in a residential area when she heard a bike sound. Unaware about what was in store, Swati continued to walk while the muggers began to follow her. As she took out her cell phone to call her mother, one of the miscreants who was riding pillion, came and snatched away her phone.

Swati told this newspaper, “The road is narrow and is poorly lit. As I took out my cell phone to call my mother, one of the muggers, who was wearing a red t-shirt, came from the side, held my hand and snatched my phone. By the time I could realise, the duo had made away with the phone. I raised an alarm but no one noticed. It is when I saw a delivery boy who had come to the area to deliver food and asked for his help. I sat on his bike and we chased the duo till the main road but they had managed to give a slip.”

She further said, “After a vain attempt, I returned home and then went to Pulikeshinagar police station and registered an FIR. The inspector in-charge told me that there has been lot of complaints from the aforementioned area. He then told me to be careful as the area has gain notoriety and there are slums nearby.”
The area residents allege that despite raising many complaints the street remain poorly lit which is becoming a safe haven for anti-social elements. “Police will be stepping up night patrolling, as there has been lot of complaints of theft and robberies,” said a police officer.