Sadistic robbery

Sadistic robbery

Ibu T, a neighbor of mine, was robbed at the gate of her friend's house in Duri Kepa, West Jakarta, on Wednesday evening, Jan. 10, 1995. Not only did the robber snatch her handbag, he also severed her left hand with his sickle in the process. The part of her hand, from just above the wrist down to her fingers, flew a couple of meters before landing on the pavement. After cutting off her left hand, the ultra sharp sickle severed the main artery of her right arm. There was no resistance at all, as she was actually not aware of what was going on. Apparently the robber just didn't want to take any risks and thought it was OK to cut off somebody's hand, as if it was only a piece of plastic. He and his friend disappeared into the main road on their motorcycle.

No one noticed what the robbers looked like. All we know is that they may have found some enjoyment on the night of Jan. 10 from the Rp 50,000 they would have found in Ibu T's handbag. We can only pray to God and hope He shines his light on these men's hearts so that they will never again cause pain and suffering to another fellow human being.

At the moment, the brave Ibu T is still lying in a hospital bed. Her severed left hand has been successfully reattached and she's recuperating well. She was continuously smiling when my wife and I visited her. If she was in any agony she never showed it.

Folks, it's the season to be on guard again. As Idul Fitri is approaching, the crime rate will rise. In this society, where gengsi (prestige) is unfortunately more treasured than ethics, people would do anything, just anything at all, to get money to bring home to their villages for Hari Raya, so that they'll be able to show their relatives and friends that they have made it big in the city. There's nothing we can do about it but be especially watchful, any place, any time!

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