Rescuer loses ear during bid to save 22-year-old techie’s chain

The gang, arriving in an auto, first tried to snatch her chain from the vehicle. When Sneha held one of the assailants by his hand, she was dragged down the road along with the auto. When Sekar (45), who runs a provision store in the area rushed to her rescue, one of the assailants got out of the auto and hacked him. More youngsters in the area rushed to the spot in a bid to corner the assailants, but the attackers got out of the auto and scared away the public by brandishing a machete at them. They escaped after snatching the woman’s five sovereign gold chain and mobile phone.

The provision store owner suffered serious injuries and sources said his right ear had been chopped off by the assailants. He has been admitted to the Stanley Hospital while Sneha has been admitted to a private hospital with bruises all over her body. Police sources said Sneha, who works at a software firm in Perungudi, was on her way back home from work when the incident happened. 

Sources told DTNext that there were several youngsters who were shocked by what they saw. The assailants were trying to flee in the auto but Sneha did not let the hand of the assailant go. 

The youngsters did rush to the spot but were scared to confront the assailants because they were armed. Police said Sneha suffered injuries as she was dragged on the tarred road by the assailants. 

Thoraipakkam police have collected the CCTV footage of the incident and immediately launched a hunt for the assailants. Police have already secured the auto used by the assailants and have reportedly picked up a person in connection with this. The assailants have been identified as residents of Kannagi Nagar. A senior police official said the hunt for all members of the gang is on and once police nab everyone, their arrests will be recorded.

Police sources said the gang members were carrying arms with them and are suspected to be involved in similar cases in the area. Chain snatching incidents have become a menace in Thoraipakkam and nearby areas. 

There had been several cases reported in recent times, especially against single, working women who return home late from work. According to police sources, more than five cases of chain snatching is being reported in the city every day, but most of them are not registered. In many cases, the snatchers attack the victims when they resist, making it difficult for others to come to their rescue.