Cops mull over stringent laws as snatchings on the rise

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 16

The police have been finding it difficult to curb snatching incidents in the city if the recent incident of targeting an NRI is anything to go by.

The main problem, which the police face is that snatchers continue their activities even after coming out on bail from the jail. Therefore, the police have advocated stringent laws to curb such crimes.

England-based Amir Singh Labh was returning to Lawrence Road on e-rickshaw after paying obeisance, with his family, when a motorcycle-borne youth snatched his wife’s purse near the Ali Baksh road.

Though the police have registered a case in this regard, there has been no breakthrough in the case so far.

“We have the list of snatchers and habitual offenders. But the problem is when they are arrested and sent to jail, they come out on bail and restart their activities,” said Amrik Singh Powar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order).

He said stringent laws were required in order to ensure that they remained in jail for longer terms.

Though discussions were held at higher level for amendment in the law, it would take time for such decision.

A number of snatchers are from neighboring police districts, including Amritsar (Rural), Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur.

The police are also stressing on increased coordination among these police districts to nail snatchers.

Powar said the police had been taking several other measures to curb snatchings.

He said police officials in civil dress had been deputed near Darbar Sahib and other places where most incidents are reported.

Recently, beat foot patrolling system was also launched by the police around the Golden Temple area.

Two snatchings in past 48 hours

The city witnessed two more snatching incidents in the past 48 hours. Two unknown youths snatched the purse of a teacher in the Cantonment area. Surinder Kumar, her husband, said the accused snatched her purse outside their house. 

Her purse contained cash and mobile phone, besides identity proofs. Similarly, three unidentified persons snatched mobile phone from Jastanjit Singh of Sandhu Colony in Chheharta.