Panchkula, November 21: The city has witnessed a surge in violent snatching incidents over the past two months, leaving residents concerned about personal safety. In early October, Brijesh Rawat, a waiter, was returning home after a late-night shift when three men on a motorcycle intercepted him near Sector 5. When he resisted handing over his belongings, he was stabbed multiple times in the chest, stomach and thigh before the assailants fled with his phone and purse.
Rawat was later found by a passer-by and rushed to hospital. Officials said similar incidents have targeted women walking at night, labourers, vendors and night-shift workers, with nearly 20 stabbing and robbery cases reported in Panchkula between September 1 and November 15.
Residents have raised concerns over police patrolling and infrastructure gaps. Mohit Gupta, a senior citizen from Sector 25, pointed out that about 25–30% of CCTV cameras in the city are non-functional, while several areas are sparsely populated and underdeveloped. “Late-night commuters often find themselves caught in isolated stretches, with no one to turn to for help if a criminal strikes,” Gupta said.
Some residents’ groups have taken independent measures. Following a spike in crime in June, the Sector 2 Residents’ Welfare Society hired mobile security guards equipped with body cameras for patrolling.
