Noida: Amid a rise in chain snatching incidents, the residents’ body of Ecovillage 1 in Greater Noida West has circulated an advisory urging residents to wear minimal jewellery while stepping out of the society. In case the police refuse to register a case, the advisory urged residents to post about such incidents on X and tag the police officials in charge of the area. Noting the lack of police action in such matters, residents said that even if the culprits are caught their items are never returned.
Head of the residents’ body, Vijay Chauhan, told TOI that taking such precautions had become necessary lately. “On June 31, a resident's chain was snatched in front of gate no 1, after which a complaint was filed in the police station but we only got assurances as no FIR was registered. On Sunday, a chain snatcher made a failed attempt to snatch a woman's chain at 8.
30am outside gate no 3,” Chauhan said. Despite there being two police chowkis within 500m of the society, such incidents are still quite common in the area, residents said. “Jewellery is meant to be worn outside but here, sadly, we don't have the luxury.
I can't wear artificial jewelry, it doesn't suit my body so I wear gold and diamond but it is too risky to wear it here,” said Ranjana Suri, a resident of the society. Another resident, Reena Chaudhary, had a slightly different view on the advisory, “If I can be safe by not wearing any jewellery then I will not wear it. I don't mind following these guidelines.
But my question is till when we are supposed to do it?” Police said that, after the residents' concerns came to their knowledge, a meeting was held on Sunday between the residents and cops. “The local ACP held a meeting with the residents on Sunday evening to address their issues and to assure them of police action against street crimes in the area. The residents were informed that police patrolling has been increased in the area and police are at their service round the clock.
A meeting was also held with the society's security team, and they were told to inform the police in case they see any suspicious activity in the area. As most of the chain snatchings happen around the open market complex of the society, the security guards were asked to keep caution there as well,” said DCP (central Noida) Suniti. On the matter of providing police assistance to victims, the DCP added, “FIRs are registered at the police stations immediately after a complaint is received.
Moreover, the pending chain and mobile snatching cases are being worked out and the culprits will be arrested soon.”.
