Lessons learnt,but forgotten soon

While Golden Chowkdi was devoid of any armed policeman,Savli crossroads on Express Highway,which is one of the major entry points in the city,was guarded by three cops. On duty for the last 17 hours,the policemen at the junction said they were overburdened and the point understaffed for proper security.

“This is a vast area and we are just three at the spot. The truckers halt near Savli junction,the area which is known for murders and thefts at nights. Crime happens right under our nose but we are not able to stop it. We cannot leave the entry point unguarded,” said a police Sub-Inspector posted at the spot. Policemen who are given two motorbikes and wooden sticks for maintaining security at the post said it is difficult to stop vehicles for checking. “There are a few regular passers-by whom we know. But many a times the vehicles zoom past us without stopping and we cannot do anything as we are neither properly armed nor do we have proper vehicles to chase them,” said a policeman.

The situation is not very different at other entry points,including Gorwa,Chhani,Waghodia,Makarpura and Dabhoi.

The vehicles from Mumbai moving to Ahmedabad usually pass through Vadodara via Makarpura. However,at 3 am,the check post at Makarpura had only one policeman.

“We are generally two people here. The senior official left the place some time back. We normally stop vehicles we suspect,” said a policeman posted at the check-post.

Inadequate security at SSGH
VADODARA: At night,while some crossroads in the city had minimal security,some important junctions were guarded by sleepy policemen. The security at the district’s largest hospital,Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital,was no different. With no security guard present at the entry or exit points,the emergency unit depended on a few resident doctors and a Medico Legal Officer. During a visit to the hospital around 2 am,our reporter found no nurse or helper on duty.

The patients and their kin were left to help themselves at various wards. Moreover,Raopura police officers,who are required to be at the SSGH’s police chowki,were not available at night.