Cops find it necessary to educate people about what they should do when confronted by armed goons.
On January 15, 2014, a trio of armed robbers snatched two bags containing Rs 1.09 crore from bullion trader Hitesh Zaveri. When he and two others tried to fight back, the robbers pumped four bullets into Zaveri, killing him on the spot, and three more into cycle mechanic Kanu Patel, who recovered recently.
On November 20, 2013, two armed robbers tried to snatch a bag of gold jewellery worth Rs2 lakh from jeweller Prakash Soni near Lad society. When Soni refused to give in, robbers killed him by firing several rounds.
On January 2, 2013, two armed robbers tried to snatch a bag of ornaments from Ghatlodia-based jeweller Pankaj Soni near Subhash Chowk. When Soni fought back, the robbers pumped a bullet into his head and fled.
These are some of the shocking incidents of citizens being mercilessly killed by armed robbers. In these incidents, one thing was common. That is all the victims tried to protect their valuables and put up a fight with armed robbers.
Though the police cannot shirk responsibility, many people believe that these victims might have been alive had they chosen not to fight back against a man with a gun and simply handed over their valuables as soon as the robbers flashed their guns as initial warning. Though such practice is followed by many countries in the West, particularly USA, it is high time city dwellers followed this simple diktat.
Sudhir Sinha, former Ahmedabad commissioner of police, helped to shed light on this issue and gave an insight into what drives people to take such risks at the cost of their lives.
“Our laws are based on the British system, where property is given priority over everything else. Whereas in the US, human life is always given maximum importance and property is considered secondary. Thus, US citizens are taught not to risk their lives for property, particularly when the robber is armed. We can always adopt such system if needed,” said Sinha.
Even the city police believe that it is necessary to educate people about what they should do in such situations. But, it is said that the police are afraid of criticism. “For the common man, it is a new concept, where people are asked not to be brave. Since childhood, we have been taught to be brave and fight back. So, if we come out in the open and appeal to public about how to save their lives, they will not accept it and criticise us instead,” said a senior IPS official, claiming that the city police were planning to launch an awareness drive in such a manner that it does not draw public ire.
“People must understand that it is not about being brave or coward, but, about saving your own life. Valuables can be recovered later, but not life. Thus, we are now mulling how to put together that message and convey it to citizens through an awareness campaign,” said the officer, who is well aware of the implication of that campaign as it can be taken otherwise.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}