With the appointment of a new Minister of Police, citizens across the country are hoping for a reduction in the crime rate, especially local residents, who complain that robberies and muggings continue to spiral out of control in Laudium and the surrounding areas.
The latest mugging victim to become another local crime stat, was 41-year-old Crimson Street mother, Namarsha Karransingh, who was left traumatized after being accosted by two thugs on the Bengal Street overpass last Friday (February 23) at around 1pm.
"It was the most dreadful experience of my life" Namarsha, who is still recovering from the ordeal, said. She relayed the horrific details to Laudium Sun journalists, as they happened that awful Friday afternoon.
"I was on my way home after getting some chronic medication for my arthritis from Medicare pharmacy and I was walking down Bengal Street and at the bridge (overpass), I saw two shadowy figures emerge from under the bridge. I am generally very cautious of my surroundings but that day I was just taken by surprise. I never thought much of them except that they had given me such a fright at that time. As they walked towards me, I moved aside to give them way to pass, but that's when one of the thugs grabbed me by the neck and he kept his grip tight, while the other creep tried to pull my handbag away from me. I fought them as much as I could, still holding on to my possessions." Namarsha recalled as she shuddered with fear.
"That's when the thug trying to get my bag punched me in the face and again on my nose. Reeling from the blow, I let go of my handbag and that's when two Himalaya Secondary schoolboys saw what was happening and ran towards me. The youngsters picked up bricks to hurl at my attackers, but the thugs were lightning fast and jumped back down the bridge, that leads to the old railway tracks. When the boys saw that I was hurt, one of them quickly used his phone to call the police. The police arrived quite quickly and I was taken to the Laudium Clinic where they treated me. I am so thankful to the two good Samaritans who came to my aid, because I am sure that the heartless thugs would have hurt me more, had they not been disturbed by the brave school-boys," said the home executive gratefully.
"I reported the robbery to the police. Unfortunately the thugs got away with my chronic medication which is quite expensive, my cellphone and several documents that were in my bag. This is the first time that I was robbed, and it has left me fearful of ever walking alone again." Namarsha said despondently, adding that her health had taken a toll, due to the post-traumatic stress she's going through.
Locals turn a blind eye
"What is most disturbing though, is that while I was being attacked by the thugs, there were many cars that went past me, and I am sure that many of the motorists saw what was happening, but chose to ignore it. What sort of a community are we, when we cannot even help someone who is in trouble? Maybe if a car had stopped to see what was happening I would not have lost my handbag,” exclaimed the mother.
"I am just grateful to the Almighty that I was not seriously injured. My nose was bleeding but not broken. I am just left with the emotional scarring of the robbery and I don't think I will ever walk on these streets again, because these criminals are everywhere," Namarsha concluded.
Emotionally scarred crime victim: Namarsha Karransingh (41).
The busy Bengal Street overpass linking Laudium Ext 2 & 3, where Namarsha was robbed by two thugs last Friday (February 23) at around 1pm.