Saudi Arabia: Misguided, Trigger-happy Youth Critically Injure Mangalorean Sattar
by P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia (MB)
August 6, 2007
Abdul Sattar, a Mangalorean, sustained a grievous injury on his back recently when unidentified persons speeding in a car randomly aimed gunshot at him in Jubail, the Industrial City of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It is reported that two black-complexioned youngsters passed in car at about 12 midnight fired bullets at him when he was returning from his brother's room in the weekend. The brother's place of stay is situated just about 200 metres from Sattar's room and it was a walking distance.
Sattar is from Shirva in Udupi district of Karnataka and he has been working in AFI Company in Jubail for the last 5-6 years. He is a graduate in Science and is of polite and decent nature.
He had to cross the main traffic signal in Jubail to reach his place. As he was passing the signal, a car rushed towards him and the occupants fired bullets at his back. Taken aback by this unexpected attack and out of shock and and pain, he sat down there for a while. A Keralite shopkeeper from a nearby shop came to his aid and got him to be admitted to Al Mouwasat Hospital in Jubail. A bullet had penetrated intothe rear side of his body and stuck in the flesh. After treatment, he was released from the hospital on the next day of the incident. A police case has been booked against the culprits, who fled the scene. The investigation is on.
When asked about the finer points of the incident, Sattar told Daijiworld correspondent: "There was no reason for them to shoot at me except they did it for fun, but at the expense of other's life as some misguided and mischievous youth usually would do it. I am hopeful that the law and order authorities concerned in the Jubail jurisdiction would take the right action against those who committed the roguish act and bring them to justice".
Some time back, it was reported in newspapers that the same nature of the incident taken place in Al Jalawia area in Dammam, in which an Egyptian was killed and another two or three were injured, when some intoxicated youngsters driving a car indiscriminately fired at them. Later on, the culprits were put behind the bars by the local police, which action really restored the confidence amongst the people, especially expats.
But the people, particularly expatriates, have to be more cautious and vigilant while walking or driving alone in the day and night about such anti-social elements. Those who come across such law-breakers should immediately bring the matter to the attention of and complain to the police in the jurisdiction so as to make the authorities watchful and alert, instead of being pessimistic towards system.
Such anti-social and law-breaking elements are a menace to any civilized society. Remaining silent about any unlawful and inhuman activity and not giving any clue or information to the official concerned would only encourage such activities and those who remain silent would also be indirectly responsible for the unlawful acts.
"In the best interest of law and order, help the system so that system would help you" shall always be the pulsating voice within us. It holds true in all places, at all times and in all circumstances without any barriers. Any kind of pessimistic attitude, as we see in most of the people, both citizens and residents alike, always meets with doom.
P A Hameed - Archives: