MNS forms vigilante teams to help police catch chain snatchers

The rising number of chain-snatching cases in Bandra, Khar and Santa Cruz has prompted the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to form its own team to stop the crime.

The MNS has formed four groups of bikers which will be posted at spots from where the majority of cases are reported.

Kicking off the campaign last Sunday, MNS taluka vice-president Mahesh Gogawale and ward president Tahir Shaikh motivated the youth to counter chain snatchers. “We have no intention of taking the law into our own hands but are aiming to control the crime by our presence. Usually chain snatchers are on bikes and they speed away after the crime. Our team of bikers will chase them and help the police nab them,” said Shaikh, adding that college students too would be roped in so that they can cover more places.

On an average, there are at least four to five cases reported every month. Some times people refuse to file a complaint. “We will also encourage victims to register complaints to help police build cases against the culprits,” said Gogawale.

The four teams will stand alert with their bikes near Podar School in Santa Cruz (West), Madhu Park in Khar (West), Radha Swami Road in Khar (West) and Carter Road in Bandra (West).

“We started the campaign more than a year ago and asked residents to drop their complaints in a box. We got a lot of complaints about chain snatching and we started working on the project. We have submitted applications to Khar police station and discussed our initiative. Police officers were happy and assured us of their support,” Shaikh added.

 The Khar police have welcomed the initiative. Vikas Sonavale, senior police inspector of Khar police station, said they have got a letter in this regard last week. “If citizens participate in this way then it will help the police control such activities. We will have formal meetings to plan the action,” he added.