BENGALURU: Stepping out of the house around midnight? Beware, even in so called ‘safe’ areas of the city muggers may be lying in wait to assault and rob you. Of late they have fine tuned their modus operandi and are even using cars for their getaways!
For a Jeevan Bima Nagar-based fashion consultant it came as a rude shock early Saturday. Little did she know that while returning from her friend’s house, who stays nearby, she would be assaulted, dragged for about 30 metres and robbed of her valuables by a gang of unidentified miscreants.
The incident happened around 1 am opposite of DRDO gate, when Nandita (name changed), a resident of Indiranagar 80 feet road, was heading home. An unidentified youth allegedly waylaid and attacked her. A shocked Nandita tried to resist, but she was overpowered and robbed of her mobile phone, '2000 in cash, credit and debit cards.
She told Deccan Chronicle, “While returning from friend’s place, I was attacked. As I was walking, a youth (in his early 20s) came from behind and attempted to snatch my hand bag. As, I held it on to it, he attacked me and dragged me with the bag for a few metres. He was wearing a red colour sweatshirt and denims. While he was dragging me I raised an alarm and cried for help. The attacker became more aggressive and dragged me further and fled with my valuables, leaving my left shoulder and arm bruised.”
She further said, “Indiranagar 80 feet road is considered to be safe. I am unable to come to terms with what happened to me as the streets were not completely isolated. By the time, people came for my help the attacker fled in a car, which was parked at the end of the 80 feet road junction. It was a planned attack as his associates were waiting in the vehicle.”
With the help of passersby Nandita reached home and later approached the J.B. Nagar police to register a complaint on Saturday morning.
Not an isolated incident
This incident yet again punctures the police’s claim of keeping the city streets safe for women. There has been a spurt in cases of robbery and assault cases in different parts of the city. It has also raised questions regarding the safety and security of women who travel home late night.
Last week in the same police station jurisdiction, another woman, who was heading home along with a friend, was allegedly intercepted and an attempt was made to rob by bike borne men brandishing knife.
When DC contacted a senior police officer, he said it looks like a gang of cab drivers. The area where the incident took place has lately gained notoriety. “Police have taken up the case and are on the look out of the muggers,” he added.
