MUMBAI, Dec 7: Rising incidents of crime in the defence enclave of Navy Nagar, located on the southernmost tip of Mumbai, may sound unusual, though not to residents of NOFRA (naval officers' families residential area).Even as the Navy shines its brass in the current Navy Week, all does not seem to be well in its own backyard. Navy Nagar has witnessed several petty as well as major housebreakings this year. But what has really distressed residents are sensational crimes involving naval officials, such as the recent molestation case of a lady advocate in the prim 'n' propah precincts of the US Club and last week's suicide of a naval officer's wife, who was reportedly ``fed up'' with her husband. In her suicide note, 28-year-old Archana Mishra pointed a finger at her husband, Lieutenant Vinaykumar Mishra, who is being interrogated by police and naval authorities.Police sources estimate that more than 60 per cent of housebreakings in Colaba take place in Navy Nagar. The most glaring statistic is that ofmurders: of four murders registered in Colaba police station this year, three took place in Navy Nagar, and they involved marital disputes.``We're cautious while leaving our homes, even if we have to go out for an hour. Cases of housebreakings in broad daylight have become rampant, and navy and military police don't seem effective enough to curb this crime wave,'' a housewife from NOFRA said.This year, 17 housebreakings have occurred during day-time in Colaba jurisdiction, while 20 have taken place in the night. The most sensational case was the robbery of goods worth Rs 13.25 lakh from the naval canteen stores department (CSD) in March. Though Colaba police arrested two persons in this regard and recovered some of the stolen goods, the main thief is still absconding, with a sizeable chunk of the loot.While naval authorities blame mushrooming slums in the vicinity, such as Geeta Nagar in Cuffe Parade, for the rise in crime, police feel servants hired on temporary basis by naval officers are alsoinvolved. They also alleged private security guards hired by Navy to keep vigil at gates aren't properly screening visitors entering Navy Nagar.A police official said: ``When we try to enter the defence zone on patrolling duty, we are invariably stopped at the gates and refused entry into Navy Nagar. But other civilians won't have such problems. If police cannot patrol within Navy Nagar, we suggest civil police and naval police should carry out joint patrolling to win back people's trust in the authorities.''The navy has squarely blamed unauthorised slums surrounding the naval area for certain incidents of crime. ``We have no jurisdiction over these slum areas,'' said a defence spokesperson. He added: ``There's no acrimony or doubt in the understanding of either the civil or naval police about their jurisdiction in the naval area. Relations between naval and civil police authorities have been cordial at all levels, resulting in effective cross training and joint patrols.'' He also said civil policearen't required to carry out routine policing activities in the Cantonment, as basic policing and security duties are the prime responsibility of the Service Policing authorities.The spokesperson added crime in the area is well under control, and any aberrations are dealt with in accordance with law. Though naval authorities are empowered to investigate and prosecute all personnel under the Naval Law, the Navy Act lays down some exceptions like rape, murder, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which are normally handed over to city police.
