Students turning chain-snatchers for easy money

Vijayawada: The arrest of two students and a minor boy of Eluru who formed a gang of four the other day for chain snatching has shocked many parents and academicians here as some students have been resorting to crimes for easy money. It is a new trend among a few students who also playing the reel world tricks in real life to amass wealth.

Three incidents of chain snatching by two youths at different places under Patamata police station limits on August 17 were hard to dissipate from the minds of people. The CCTV camera photos show that they look like students.

M Venkat, a parent, expressed serious concern over the phenomenon that gripped some youth and influencing them to commit crimes to get money.

A psychiatrist said students have been doing crime as they want money to meet their new habits and needs. They want to money to buy latest gadgets, bikes and the list goes on. When their parents cannot afford such things, they pursue the easy path of doing crimes,” he said.

Noor Ahmed, leader of Students Federation of India, said that most of the engineering colleges in the state have been getting fee reimbursement.

Hence, students were told that they would get attendance without physical presence. Similarly, other professional colleges have also following the same rule making students sit idle at any place of their choice. Most of these students maintain girlfriend and friends apart from vices with pocket money given by the parents for four years. After course completion, they have no subject to be eligible for job, hence, turning to crime.

On the other hand, students after Class X have been restricted to four walls in corporate colleges killing their creativity and forcing to memorise study material. They also lack knowledge and just read memorised content. As a result, students have become prone to activities of crime to earn money, he says.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police says the students have been turning criminals to lead a lavish life with bad company (friends). They should think about legal conflicts and punishment which becomes major hurdle even while getting any job, he warned the youth committing crimes.

V Manoj, a student pursuing senior Intermediate, is of the view that crime has turned a new trend among youth. The media has strong influence over them. When lack of attachment with parents adds to these circumstances, the students value bad friendships and spoil their lives.

B Sasibhushan, principal of a junior college, informed that earning easy money has become motto of a few students who may resort to crimes such as bike theft and chain snatching.

By Noor Shaik