Woman held for chain-snatching

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the world’s largest congregation of women happens in the city, inevitable is the showcasing of gold ornaments and the cunning eyes of chain-snatchers who want to feast on the occasion follows. The watchful surveillance of the city police armed with CCTVs and the alarm warnings cautioning women against wearing gold jewellery were eclipsed when snatchers managed to get hold of the prized metal at will. Around 15 complaints were received by the police including loss of ornaments, missing and finally snatching.  According to the Fort Police, most of the complaints could not be registered as the victims failed to turn up for questioning. Only one woman turned up to lodge her complaint. A Tamil woman, Vishalam, 25, was caught red-handed by the women folk near Pazhavangadi temple when she attempted to snatch the chain off a woman who was standing in the queue for annadanam. Free food counters set up in almost every corner had witnessed a surge of devotees. As expected these spots were marked by the snatchers. Most of the complaints said that the chains were lost after coming out of the free food counters.  Vishalam, hailing from Pollachi, was arrested when she attempted to snatch the chain of Omana of Nellanadu, near Venjaramoodu. She was later remanded to prison. The Fire and Rescue Services team also had a tough time quenching the thirst of the devotees. More than 5 lakh litres of drinking water were distributed by the personnel. In the early morning, a 35-year-old woman jumped into the Amayizhanjan Canal. She was rescued by the Fire and Rescue personnel. Later it was revealed that the woman was from Odisha and she was mentally disturbed. She was admitted to a hospital.