73% rise in robberies in first 3 months of 2013

Early this month, a senior citizen couple was held hostage at their house in south Delhi’s Kalkaji and robbed of cash and jewellery worth around R10lakh, allegedly by two unidentified robbers. On Thursday afternoon, a family of four was held hostage and robbed by four men in east Delhi’s Surajmal Vihar area.

Early this month, a senior citizen couple was held hostage at their house in south Delhi’s Kalkaji and robbed of cash and jewellery worth around R10lakh, allegedly by two unidentified robbers. On Thursday afternoon, a family of four was held hostage and robbed by four men in east Delhi’s Surajmal Vihar area.

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In another incident on March 12, two armed men on a motorcycle waylaid a research coordinator travelling in an autorickshaw and robbed him of cash and valuables at gunpoint in Nizamuddin area.

These incidents that took place in two different parts of the Capital highlight the fact that no one is safe from robbers at any time of the day -- be it senior citizens living alone,

families in broad daylight or just plain commuters on the road.

Figures reveal that Delhi Police have failed to check serious crimes. Incidents of robbery increased by 73% -- 180 cases were registered till March 14 this year against the 104 cases during the same period last year.

“We can understand the plight of someone held hostage by robbers at gunpoint. Many a time, they are too shocked to give any detail about the robbers. We keep on appealing to residents to hire verified domestic helps and urge senior citizens to get themselves registered,” a senior police officer said.