The Fleet Street also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg has become a haven for snatchers and criminals. Half a dozen cases have been reported during last three days. Two incidents took place on Sunday when journalists were targeted by the bike-borne snatchers.
On Thursday night a Bureau Chief and Defence Editor of two national dailies were robbed of their cell phone one after another outside Express Building. The incident had takenplace when a senior journalist was walking towards his car parked outside the building after office work at 9 pm. Two bike-borne assailants came from the wrong side of the road and attacked him and he fell down, his belongings were snatched, said eyewitnesses, adding that the assailants got hold of his iphone and fled from the spot. Strangely the incident took place barely 50 meters ahead of police barricade.
Two days ago similar incident took place with another senior journalist of a leading newspaper. Shockingly, in the last one year six such incidents are happening outside media offices at the most secured zone behind police headquarters, said sources.
Despite repeated complaints about criminal activities, including illegal parking mafias at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, no action has been taken so far, said some journalists.
The matter was brought to the knowledge of Delhi Police top brass and patrolling was increased today. The policemen were later deployed to oversee some other law and order arrangements and robbers struck again on Saturday, snatching the cellphone of a manager of JK Cements.
Special Commissioner of Police law and Order, North SBK Singh said, “The incidents are unfortunate . Two beat constables have been put under suspension and the Chittha Munshi (deployment constable) has been also suspended. DCP Central has issued a censure notice to the SHO of IP Estate police station. Inorder to prevent such incidents, Additional SHO of the police station will be present in the press area with adequate police staff from 3 pm to 11 pm every day. Efforts are being made to arrest the culprits”, he added.