In Mysore, police cut out scarves to curb chain-snatching

Police Commissioner K L Sudheer (right) look at the neck scarves and high neck jackets designed for women to address the problem of chain snatching, in Mysore. Photo: M. A. Sriram

What have the Mysore police got to do with cloth design?

Well, the rising number of chain-snatching incidents in the city perhaps “forced” them to come up with some strategies, even novel ideas, to curb the menace.

The police roped in some tailors to stitch different types of neck scarves and high-neck jackets that could be worn by women on their dress, including sari and salwar kameez, for covering ornaments, mainly the mangalasutra and gold chains. Policewomen have recommended some designs — and tried them out too.

As chain-snatching incidents happen mostly when women go in for a stroll, the police feel that scarves or jackets, if worn, can deny the offenders an opportunity to strike.

Commissioner of Police K.L. Sudheer is optimistic. “I strongly believe that the measure will work and minimise the incidents, as the offenders cannot be sure whether their targets are wearing gold chains. This is only one of the steps taken to address the issue.”

He says the police will try to talk women organisations, NGOs and Sthree Shakti Sanghas into promoting the initiative.

“If people support, and cooperate with, us, we can address any problem. The [number of] incidents has come down, but not stopped. It is not just Mysore alone that is witnessing chain-snatching; cities such as Pune, Coimbatore, Mumbai, too, are facing this problem because of the rise in gold prices,” he explains.

The police launched the initiative after conducting a study. “We heard from the victims that the offenders usually confirm whether women were wearing gold ornaments before striking them. If gold ornaments are invisible, they will hesitate to strike.” Since it is risky to display gold chains during an early morning walk with not many people around, women can cover their neck, he says.

Women interested in looking at the designs can visit the Lashkar police station, where scarves and jackets have been displayed.

“We have other plans to check such incidents. There are many things in the offing. We shall announce them soon,” says Mr. Sudheer.