Madangir: Neighbours fear for their safety

Residents of south Delhi's Madangir area, a crowded working-class neighbourhood, are still in fear over the safety of their kin after the sensational, daylight murder of a 21-year-old youth in full public view by five youths, including three juveniles.

Speaking about the ground situation, area resident Naveen told IANS: "We have to face threats from local criminals over petty issues. They openly wander about with knives and country-made pistols. We complained to police several times but they did not take proper action against such people."

"I met with (Deputy Commissioner of Police) P. Karunakaran a few months ago and informed him about such criminals who have been creating terror among people with their acts. Karunakaran gave me assurance to take action about these goons but the situation is same," said Naveen, a 45-year-old shop keeper.

A 15-year-old school girl Mamata, who studies in 10th class in a government school told IANS: "Most of the local goons in the area are aged between 15 to 25. Eve-teasing and molestation are common in the area. I have been the victim of eve-teasing. When I complained to my parents, they told me to avoid them because they feared from such people."

However talking about Sachin, whose killing was captured in a CCTV installed outside a shop, she said that he was among those goons of Madangir did not fear the police.

The residents of Madangir and the nearby Ambedkar Nagar area in south Delhi don't know how to handle these goons due to the lack of a proper police action.

Another resident of Madangir, lawyer Mangat Ram, appreciated the police for quickly apprehending Sachin noted that the police itself had created the situation.

"I am happy that the killers have been apprehended, but I have no faith in law and order situation. Petty crimes have been a part of our life. If police can show this swift action in this case, why they ignore the present condition of the area," he asked.

Sachin was killed by five youths, including three juveniles, around 3.30 p.m. Tuesday in a crowded street in Madangir. All the killers were caught Wednesday after the police recovered a CCTV footage captured by a camera installed outside a shop in the street.

(Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)