Strangers killed in angry city

Casual spats are claiming many lives, and that’s because life in Bengaluru is getting increasingly irritable, experts say.

Last week, two brothers were killed in K G Halli because one of them refused to pay Rs 15 for a cigarette.

Many such crimes are being reported from across the city. Why are people losing their temper over the smallest of matters, and inflicting extreme violence?

Dr Pallavi Joshi, consultant psychiatrist, says Bengalureans are definitely more frustrated than ever before. “The struggle for survival is intense here. There is more need for money and that means more work and more tedious deadlines,” she says.

Everyone is answerable, and many professionals get frustrated when their subordinates don’t cooperate.

Time on the road is especially stressful. “Continuous honking can anger anyone,” she says.

In many cases, shopkeepers and informal entrepreneurs are not able to bring their families to the city.

R Rajesh, sociologist, blames pent-up frustration for extreme acts of violence.

“Such incidents occur when the perpetrator has gone through a similar situation elsewhere and hasn’t been able to confront it then. It could also be anger built up over a period against one person,” he explains.

Some violent acts are committed for what sociologists call the ‘demonstration effect.’

“Here the shopkeeper might have wanted to send a message to the larger community,” he says.

When aspirations increase to a point when they can’t be achieved, individuals become unhappy, he reckons.

Gopika Urs, consultant psychologist, points out that “crimes of passion” are increasing in the metros.

“People have no time for each other and lack empathy. Some go to the extreme of hurting or killing the opponent to preempt vindictive action later,” she points out.

A decade ago, older people, say in their 40s and 50s, tended to display extreme frustration, but younger Bengalureans are more frustrated now, she says.

Murder after street scrap

September 2017: Santosh, a resident of Vinayak Nagar near Chikkabidarakallu, was on his way home from a mall when his car touched a bike near a traffic signal. A heated argument broke out with the men on the bike, after which he left for home. The two men followed him to his neighbourhood, again stopped his car, stabbed him multiple times and sped away. The injuries proved fatal for Santosh.

Two women vs auto driver

June 2018: A 44-year-old auto driver, Venkataswamy, hit a car near Ecospace Service Road, Bellandur. One of the two women inside the car tried to stop him to show him the damage to the car, but he tried to run her over. She jumped inside the auto and he started driving towards HSR Layout. Her friend followed them in the car. Her shouts for help prompted other motorists to chase the auto and block it.

Punched for intervening

February 2018: S Sanjay, a 24-year-old techie who works in Bagmane Tech Park, was punched in the face for helping a car driver caught in a fight with two people on a scooter.

Techie killed for Rs 500

October 2017: Pranay Mishra, a 28-year-old techie, was murdered near the Chocolate factory on Taverekere Main Road. The killer had quarrelled with him for Rs 500 after a small accident.

Lack of recreation

Dr Pallavi Joshi, consultant psychiatrist, says, “Bengalureans do not have time for recreation or exercise. Negative energy has to be channelled out or else it affects people. Endorphins are released during exercise which help lower stress.

Recorded now

Extreme incidents triggered by anger were common earlier too. It is just that they are more easily documented and communicated now.

R Rajesh, Sociologist.

Crimes of passion

The term ‘crime of passion’ often refers to a violent act committed on a sudden, strong impulse.