Circular - Security Awarness
Bhushan Shinde
SECURITY AWARENESS
During our regular interactions with the local law enforcement agencies, we have been informed that some antisocial elements are adopting different modus operandi to force the citizens to shed out money or jewelry. These groups are active on the Thane – Belapur road and they generally target people hailing from other states or the vehicles which do not have the registration number of Mumbai. We would like to share some incidents (for awareness purpose) along with the modus operandi being followed by these miscreants.
Modus Operandi 1:
Two or Three local village boys will approach a person (who is alone but not a local guy) and start shouting , abusing and blaming him that he has misbehaved with a girl from their village. Than one of them will try to project that he is going to village to call other group of villager in their support. Others in the group will try to force him to follow them for Identification parade in front of girl. They assure him that he will be released if girl confirms that you are not the individual we are looking for. Under pressure the victim will agree to accompany them for the identification parade. After taking him to a schluded place they shall threaten and forcibly take all the cash and the valuables for him.
Modus operandi 2:
One person on a bike posing as a policeman or a villager will follow a particular car owner (who is alone but not a local guy). He will ask him to park his car on the road side and start blaming him for rash and negligent driving stating that one bike rider has been badly hurt because of you. He shall further threaten to take you to the police station or to the village to face the ire of the villagers. On hearing all this one generally gets disturbed and may offer some money to that antisocial element or he may demand money to settle the matter. Ones the victim hands over the cash to him he shall immediately leave that location.
Modus operandi 3:
They operate in a group of 4-5 persons. One of them will always be an expert driver or mechanic. They generally target persons travelling alone, with female members or vehicles which are not having Mumbai registration . They will take position at pre-determined distances on the road. When you are crossing the first person he will point towards the bonnet of your car and you will feel something is wrong with the vehicle and maybe one will slide down the driver’s window glass. After another 100 mtrs another person will point at the bonnet of your car shouting as if fire / smoke is coming out of the engine. If you still don’t spot third person will again repeat the actions of his team.
Same thing being pointed out by different people will force you to park your car on one side to inspect the car by opening the bonnet of the car. Suddenly from nowhere 2-3 people will come on the pretext of helping you. When you inform them that someone was point out something in the engine of the car they will ask you to go to the driver’s seat and restart the car again. When you restart the engine, the miscreants throw some acid or short circuit the battery thus generating sparks and smoke.
On the pretext of helping you they will organize a mechanic ( who is hand in glove with them ) who will inform you that there is a serious problem with the car. The mechanic will tell you that this is going to cost ( which shall be a big amount ) this much. As you are struck in the middle of nowhere one will have no alternative other than to pay him.
SUGGESTED PRECAUTIONS
1. When you are confident that you have not misbehaved with anyone than don't follow unknown person under threat / pressure.
2. Get in touch with your colleagues or security control room for help.
3. Seek help from the passerby’s.
4. Be courageous and question such group of people.
5. Note down their vehicle number.
6. Try to remember the physical appearance of these antisocial elements.
7. Never stop your car at the same spot. Drive for 2-3 kms to stop and inspect the car.
8. Be cautious of accepting help from so many unknown people.
9. Try to get in touch with your mechanic for help.
Bhushan Hanumant Shinde.