Police make list of 107 chain robbers to keep eye on them

Nashik: In a bid to stop chain snatching in the city, Nashik city police have prepared a list of 107 known individuals on the record for committing such robberies. Cops hope to keep an eye on these individuals - to prevent them from committing more crimes.

Police data till the end of August shows that police registered as many as 43 cases of chain snatchings in Nashik city.

Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangare-Patil said: “We are adopting different measures to curb the menace of chain snatching. We have singled out 107 individuals who are in our records. We will be monitoring their activities if they are out of jail. Knowing they are being watched will stop them from committing more such crimes."

Officials said that chain snatching has become an easy way to earn money illegally. They target women wearing mangalsutras and flee the spot on a bike.

The police have also tried to spread awareness amongst the public.

The commissioner said it was for the first time cops were implementing Section 142 of the Bombay Police Act ((includes curbs on movement, stay and failure to report arrival/departure) to ban entry of criminals from other cities to Nashik city. He said a number of individuals from other locations - Ambivali, Kalyan, Srirampur, etc - were entering Nashik city and leaving after committing chain robberies.

Those who have been arrested and are on record, will be served notices stating they are barred from entering Nashik city for three years. If found in Nashik city - after the order - they can face up to a year in prison.

These individuals will have to take permission from police to enter Nashik city for legal work.