Defence ministry officials are a worried lot these days. The ministry issued an advisory last month following a spate of car thefts of its officials from just outside its building at Raisina Hills, the government's nerve center. Officials are now concerned that the official government stickers that were pasted on these stolen vehicles may fall in wrong hands, and pose a security risk.
Eight cars, including a Maruti 800, Swift and Swift Dzire, belonging to mid-level officers, have been stolen from Raisina Hills since last year; three of these have occurred in the last six months. While cases have been registered, not a single car has been traced. Keeping in mind that the stickers on the cars can be grossly misused to gain access to crucial areas in the North and South blocks, the defence ministry issued an advisory on May 23, asking its staff to take the necessary measures to ensure security of their vehicles.
"The primary responsibility of safety of vehicles lies with the vehicle's owner, particularly if the vehicles are parked outside the buildings," says the advisory. "Our investigations show that critical contributory factors to the increasing incidences of thefts are: non-locking of the vehicles including dickeys, improper closing of windows and absence of safety devices."
The ministry has laid guidelines for its staff to park their cars inside the headquarter building at the designated parking space. The staff has also been told to install anti-theft devices, such as extra door lock, steering lock, gear lock, fuel cut-off, anti-theft alarm, etc. The ministry has particularly asked the staff who own Maruti 800 cars to be vigilant since this vehicle is the easiest to car-jack.
"We can't speak about the car thefts. But as far as statistics are concerned, there have been only eight incidents of theft in the last one-and-half years," said a police official.
Senior police officials, however, showed concerns over increasing thefts. "Even if one stolen car falls in the hands of terrorist, they can use it to strike at crucial places. Police should be extra cautious," said SBS Tyagi, additional commissioner.
Advisory to car owners
Fearing misuse of ministry/government stickers by terrorists, defence ministry has asked staff to be vigilant after a series of car thefts
Staff asked to park cars inside defence headquarter building
Install anti-theft devices, such as GPS, anti-theft alarm, steering and gear locks, etc.
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