‘If you see them, alert police’: Posters of suspected chain snatchers go up in UP’s Azamgarh

Police said as part of the first phase, posters featuring the three accused have been displayed in areas under the Pawai police station where cases against them are registered.

So far, Pawai police have put up four posters displaying the names, ages, and photographs of three suspects at four different crossings in Azamgarh.

Titled ‘chain snatchero/lootero ki suchi’, the poster features mugshots of the three bearded men, sporting thin mustaches. They are aged between 20 and 25. It mentions their father’s names and their addresses. They are residents of the neighbouring Jaunpur district.

Below, the text reads: These three men are cunning (shatir), thieves and chain snatchers. In 2022, they looted a woman in Pawai… Please be careful of them. If you see them, alert the closest police station.”

According to police officers, a case was registered against the trio in August 2022 for allegedly snatching a woman’s gold chain, earrings, ring, and mobile phone after their names cropped up during the probe. Subsequently, a case under the Gangsters Act was also filed against them at the Pawai police station.

“The individuals whose posters have been displayed are accused in cases related to chain snatching and robbery. The posters have been put up to make residents in the area aware of these criminals. Our aim is to alert the public and seek their cooperation in preventing such crimes,” said Pradeep Kumar Mishra, Station House Officer of Pawai police station.

“As other suspects are identified, more posters of the accused will be put up,” added Mishra.

Anil Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh, said: “In the coming days, more posters will be displayed by various police stations after identifying persons involved in creating disturbances in their respective areas.”

A police officer said the posters are also intended to instill fear among such people who roam freely on the streets, commit offences, and then escape after carrying out their acts. Since their identities are often unknown to the public, they are able to target people easily. By displaying their photographs and details in public places, the police hope to make their faces recognisable, making it harder for them to move around or commit crimes without being identified, the officer said.