Staying away from family is difficult enough for young students, and those who stay at paying guest accomodations or hostels are further troubled by kleptomaniac roomies who love to pocket anything from knick-knacks to electronics and cash. In a recent incident in the capital, a 20-year-old girl has been arrested for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from paying guest accommodations in South Delhi. The accused, Ujjala, used to pose as a Delhi University student and had been committing such thefts for the past two years in various PGs across the city. This arrest could well put the brakes on hostel thefts, and make PG kleptomaniacs keep their nimble fingers firmly tucked int he pockets.
Many PG-dwellers face this menace and tackle the problem in their own way. Versha Jain, an IT professional, shares a similar incident and says, “When I moved to Delhi I lived in a PG with six other girls. Even though the accomodation was small and safe, I used to be careful about storing my personal stuff. The girls I was staying with were very nice and educated but the maid who came for cleaning used to lift things from our room. The landlady didn’t pay attention to our complaints and so I had no other choice but to leave the place.”
Swati Jha, an MBA student recalls, “While living in a girls PG at Satya Niketan I heard a lot of stories about thefts in the area, but didn’t pay attention because we were assured about the security. However, soon my cosmetics and toiletries began to go missing regularly, and none could be blamed because many girls stayed there. Within three months I had lost three new shampoo bottles and expensive perfumes, so I shifted elsewhere.”
Pooja Gulati, a 23-year-old interior designer, who stays as a paying guest in South Ex says, “Thefts are very common in PGs and hostels, so one has to be very careful with their belongings. Usually two-three people stay in one common room so it’s difficult to keep a track on who is coming to the room. Sometimes the cupboards are too cramped so a lot of stuff lies outside; usually people borrow them or simply pick up without even asking. Before leaving my room I keep my expensive items in the locker and lock my laptop and iPods etc inside the cupboard.”