The recovery of stolen SUVs and arrest of kingpins of an interstate auto theft racket by the East Kameng Police is commendable. The thorough investigation launched by the police to nab the culprits of the interstate nexus involving stolen SUVs from the Delhi NCR and its sale in Arunachal once again shows the extensive and highly evolved network of auto lifters and middlemen to prospective buyers. Over the years, numerous instances have proved that stolen vehicles from Delhi/NCR mostly find their way into the North-East and find many buyers, some unsuspecting ones.
Delhi tops the list when it comes to cases of vehicle theft reported in all of India’s 28 states and eight Union territories (UTs). A vehicle is stolen every 12 minutes in the national capital; in Mumbai, one is stolen every four hours, and in Bengaluru every two hours, according to 2019 data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
While there is no such data for the Itanagar Capital Region, but it is safe to say that the ICR has become a playing field for auto lifters in particular two-wheeler theft. Police has tasted success on few occasions but there are many cases which have gone “untraced”. Due to the nature of the crime, vehicle theft is extremely tough to crack down upon. It is an organised network of thieves with multiple channels spread across the states. The fact that this type of crime is largely non-violent and also that owners stop pursuing cases after claiming insurance, somehow bolsters auto lifters.
There is a need to up the ante against such miscreants by the police, administration and the public in general.  Stepping up security measures such as CCTVs around the city, deployment of sufficient force and helpline for reporting thefts will help. Citizens must also play vigilante and be watchful of their surroundings and report such crimes immediately to ensure police can launch a trail.
This racket will not have existed had there not been a market. The desire to own high-end SUVs at a fraction of the price has resulted in many succumbing to this illegal activity. Buying a stolen vehicle must raise a moral question and citizens must desist from doing so because with every stolen vehicle being purchased, auto lifters are encouraged to execute more crime.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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