Shillong, September 22: A 33-year-old woman from Umlyngka Pdengshnong, Upper Shillong, was injured after a man allegedly snatched her gold earrings while she was on her way to Civil Hospital, Shillong, to deliver food to her ailing husband. The woman, identified as Rabalin Sohlang, said the incident occurred at around 11:15 am on Sunday near the NCC Gate, adjacent to Shillong Civil Hospital.
Speaking to Batesi TV, Sohlang said the man approached her from behind and suddenly pulled off her earrings, injuring both her ears. “I caught hold of him, but I could not fight him because he was a man. I chased him and shouted for help, saying ‘help, help, thief, thief’ as he ran towards Laban,” she said.
According to Sohlang, several passers-by responded to her cries and chased the alleged snatcher, eventually apprehending him near the Red Cross area in Laban. She said the man was restrained by members of the public until police personnel arrived at the spot and took him into custody.
Sohlang, meanwhile, was taken to Civil Hospital after her ears began bleeding due to the force with which the earrings were allegedly pulled off. She said doctors had to stitch her ears after they were torn during the incident. Sohlang further said that police later recovered the pair of gold earrings.
She also claimed that police informed her that the accused was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. Following the incident, Sohlang appealed to women to remain vigilant while travelling alone, particularly in crowded and public areas. She expressed concern over incidents of theft and snatching taking place even during daylight hours and urged people to remain alert.
