Beware! Carjackers on the prowl

The recent spurt in cases of carjacking has unleashed a wave of terror among Gurgaon residents who claim they feel vulnerable due to unsafe city streets.

The recent spurt in cases of carjacking has unleashed a wave of terror among Gurgaon residents who claim they feel vulnerable due to unsafe city streets.

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Armed carjackers from neighbouring districts of Haryana as well as cities like Meerut and Delhi are having a free run in Gurgaon. As against 32 incidents reported in Gurgaon in 2011, 27 cases have already been registered in eight months of this year.

Three incidents of armed carjacking have been reported in the last 10 days and that too on busy spots such as Rajiv Chowk on Gurgaon Expressway.

The Gurgaon police have, however, failed to crack any case or stop rising crime even as carjackers continue to target innocent residents. The police blamed shortage of staff. Gurgaon, with an area of 1,183 sq kms, has 3,500 officers.

Commuters lamented that police personnel are hardly seen during night, giving ample room to criminals to strike at will. Poorly-lit roads allow miscreants to escape under the cover of darkness.

On August 23, an executive was brutally assaulted by three carjackers while he was boarding his car at a parking lot on Golf Course Road. The accused were identified as residents of Rohtak.

According to the police, most carjackers come from neighbouring cities of Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Bahadurgarh, Delhi and Meerut.

Till last year, gangs from Mewat were active in the region but after the cabbie gang was busted, fewer cases have come to light.

In most cases, owners have not got their car back and even though investigation is on, there are no clues. Despite having CCTV footage, the police have failed to trace the culprits.

HT spoke to a few victims who are awaiting compensation from insurance companies. They said they are disappointed with the police force. Despite running from pillar to post, the owners drew a blank from the police.

DCP (west) Surinder Pal said, “We have recovered cars which were robbed recently from Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana. We have increased PCR patrolling and our men have been deployed in civil uniform at all major places. PCR riders are also deployed and ACPs concerned take care of their teams.”

Special teams have been formed to nab carjackers and lifters, according to the police.

DCP (east and south) Maheshwar Dayal said, “We have formed a special team of 15 officers who are deployed at nights on the highway. A car was recovered from Bharatpur. We are verifying credentials of parking attendants to prevent further incidents.”