Brave Indian housemaid fights off thief in Bahrain

Manama: A courageous Indian expat housemaid in Bahrain fought back a handbag snatcher on Sunday night in Zinj.

Laila, an expat from Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala, had a terrified moment when she was confronted by a Hindi-speaking youth, on her way home at around 8.20pm near Oman Avenue near Zinj traffic signal.

‘I noticed that a youth was following me for some time and when I entered a byroad from Oman Avenue, this man came closer and asked me whether there was any bus stop nearby, she narrated the incident DT News. ‘I told him I didn’t know. Then he tried to grab by handbag. When I screamed, he covered my mouth and tried to snatch my bag and escape.

“ Hearing the commotion, I saw one resident coming out of an apartment. At that time the culprit, tried to flee. Suddenly I took a small stone and threw at him. It hit on his back, and he fell down. When he resumed running, I chased him and he hid in a bush nearby. When I threw stones at him again, he left the bush and entered a cold store from where I caught hold of him and beat him black and blue,” Laila said.

“There were many people watching but unfortunately nobody came forward to help me; nobody informed the police seeking to help a hapless woman; nobody asked me why I was beating that wicked fellow,” Laila said.

“After the incident I was so tired that I had to sit in front of the shop for half an hour; nobody came to help me or catch the thief and hand him over to the police; It’s a shame. Such a terrible experience should not happen to another woman in Bahrain, that’s why I disclose this nightmarish experience, Laila said.

Laila came to Bahrain four years ago following her husband’s demise. “My husband was the sole bread winner of the family . I had to look after my three children and make a living. That’s why I came to Bahrain, she said.