Patna: Concerns over public safety in Bihar’s capital have intensified after a woman performing Vat Savitri Puja was allegedly targeted by bike-borne snatchers in the Buddha Colony area of Patna on Friday morning. The incident has once again raised questions over law and order in the city amid a growing number of chain-snatching cases.
According to police and local residents, the woman had stepped out of her home early in the morning to perform rituals associated with the Vat Savitri festival when two men on a motorcycle approached her and allegedly snatched the gold chain from her neck before fleeing the scene.
Witnesses said the incident unfolded within seconds, leaving bystanders with little time to react. Locals gathered after the victim raised an alarm, but the accused had already escaped.
Police from the Buddha Colony station reached the spot soon after receiving information and began an investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the suspects. The victim and her family members have also been questioned as part of the probe.
Police officials said efforts are underway to trace and arrest those involved.
The incident has sparked anger among residents, many of whom claim that chain-snatching cases have become increasingly common across Patna. Similar incidents have recently been reported from areas including Kankarbagh and Kadamkuan, where several snatching cases have allegedly taken place over the past month.
Residents have accused the police of failing to deter criminals despite repeated claims of intensified patrolling and surveillance. Women and elderly citizens, locals say, are increasingly becoming soft targets for criminals operating in broad daylight.
“The fear among people is growing. Women no longer feel safe even while visiting temples or markets,” a resident of the locality said.
Opposition parties have also criticised the state government and police administration over the rising crime rate in the capital, alleging a collapse in law and order. The police, however, maintain that surveillance has been increased in sensitive areas and that special drives against criminal activity are ongoing.
The Buddha Colony incident has once again put the spotlight on public safety in Patna, with residents now waiting to see whether police can swiftly solve the case and curb the increasing number of snatching incidents across the city.
