Cycle thefts from Ludhiana civil hospital new headache

Cycle theft from the parking lot of the civil hospital has emerged as major issue for authorities with at least five cases being reported over the past month. The problem has flared up after the parking lot contractor stopped charging cyclists on directions from the hospital authorities.

Cycle theft from the parking lot of the civil hospital has emerged as major issue for authorities with at least five cases being reported over the past month. The problem has flared up after the parking lot contractor stopped charging cyclists on directions from the hospital authorities.

Somnath of Basti Jodhewal yielding about information of burglary of his cycle at civil hospital in Ludhiana on Thursday. (HT Photo)

With the issue mostly concerning the poor and the underprivileged, the police are mostly reluctant in registering a case.

On Thursday, Somnath, a resident of Basti Jodhewal area, became the latest victim of cycle theft after he visited the hospital to visit his niece at the Mother-Child hospital in the Civil Hospital complex for delivery.

When he returned, he found his cycle missing. The parking attendants were indifferent to his pleas for help or assistance, claiming that it was not their duty to take care of cycles as they did not charge any fee for vehicles. He claimed that cops at the Civil Hospital police post were reluctant to register a case.

Most visitors to the hospital claim that even as the official rate for cycle parking was `2, but attendants used to charge `3 to `5. After complaints of overcharging surfaced, health department officials waived the parking fee for cycles two months ago.