Police Patrol Under Scrutiny as Snatching Cases Mount in City
Key Points:
- Third chain-snatching incident in 24 hours reported in Ulidih
- Woman loses gold chain worth Rs 3 lakh during morning walk
- Sonari and Sakchi saw similar snatching incidents on Friday
JAMSHEDPUR – A spate of chain-snatching incidents has gripped the city, with three separate cases reported within a single day, triggering panic among residents and renewed questions over police patrolling in residential areas.
The latest case surfaced from Sankosai Road No. 1 under the Ulidih outpost area. A woman identified as Asha Rani Shadangi was targeted early Saturday morning while she was out for her regular walk.
According to local reports, an unidentified man approached her on foot and snatched a gold chain worth approximately Rs 3 lakh from her neck before fleeing the scene. The entire incident reportedly unfolded within seconds.
By the time the woman could raise an alarm and seek help from nearby residents, the accused had already disappeared. Neighbours rushed to the spot after hearing her cries and alerted the Ulidih police.
Officers reached the location soon after and began scanning CCTV camera footage installed in the vicinity. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and are also examining whether the same person is linked to the earlier two incidents this week.
This is not the first such case in recent days. A similar chain-snatching incident occurred in the Sonari police station area in broad daylight on Friday.
Meanwhile, on Friday evening, bike-borne miscreants snatched a gold chain from a woman near the Sakchi police headquarters area as well. The proximity of the crime to a police facility has added to public concern.
With a third case now reported from Ulidih, residents across the city have expressed growing unease over personal safety, particularly for women walking alone in the mornings and evenings.
Officials have said street crime of this nature has posed a challenge for law enforcement in recent months. Jamshedpur has previously reported multiple snatching and theft cases across its various neighbourhoods, including a jewelry theft case last year that was transferred to the Tatanagar railway police for further investigation.
A local resident said the increasing frequency of such crimes has left many families worried about the safety of women stepping out alone. “It has become common these days. We hesitate before letting our women go out early morning,” the resident said.
Investigators are now cross-referencing CCTV footage from all three locations to determine whether a single gang is behind the string of incidents. Police have said the probe into the chain-snatching cases is ongoing, and further updates on arrests are awaited.
Residents in Ulidih, Sonari and Sakchi are now awaiting word on whether police can trace the accused and bring the recent spate of crimes to an end.
