A young woman preparing for the UPSC examinations demonstrated remarkable courage on Tuesday when she physically resisted a chain-snatching attempt in Chennai, leading to the recovery of her valuable ornament. The incident occurred in the bustling Tambaram area, highlighting concerns over street crime.
Bravery on GST Road
The victim, identified as Vikashini, a 25-year-old resident of Meenakshi Nagar in Guduvancherry, was targeted while walking to the Tambaram bus stop around 1 PM. She was returning from her civil service coaching classes. Near the Hindu Mission Hospital traffic junction on GST Road, an unidentified man wearing a lungi and shirt approached her and attempted to snatch her thaali chain.
Instead of surrendering, Vikashini fought back. She clutched her chain tightly and tried to fend off the assailant. The struggle resulted in injuries to her neck and hand, but her resistance played a crucial role in the subsequent events.
The Attacker's Flight and Chain Recovery
Despite her efforts, the attacker managed to grab the chain. However, as he tried to escape, he noticed that people in the vicinity had begun chasing him. In his panic, he dropped the five-and-a-half sovereign gold chain. The assailant then slipped into the nearby Tambaram railway station and disappeared into the crowd.
Bystanders retrieved the valuable chain and returned it to Vikashini. She was then taken to a private hospital nearby for treatment of her injuries. The Tambaram police have registered a case and are actively pursuing leads.
Police Investigation Underway
Law enforcement officials have launched a detailed investigation into the daring daylight crime. A key part of the probe involves scanning CCTV footage from along GST Road and the boundary area of the railway station to identify the suspect.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of chain-snatching crimes in urban areas and the risks faced by citizens. It also underscores the importance of public vigilance and swift police action. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the culprit.
