Yesterday's front page report about a notorious chain-snatcher eluding the police dragnet is an eye-opener to the necessity of going very well prepared for an operation.

This paper reported how two cops were injured after a team of 10 Bandra policemen were attacked with stones and bottles by family members and neighbours of a dreaded chain-snatcher with more than 100 cases against him When a posse of 10 policemen entered the chain snatcher's home, they were pelted with stones and bottles. Women, too, were part of the attackers. The chain-snatcher managed to escape in the fracas. A mob attacked the cops and one police personnel was injured after being hit by a stone on his mouth. He fell after an alcohol bottle was broken on his head. The report says this criminal's family has connections and his gang members act as lookouts for him.