By Udvada Reporter and Social Activist, Shahin Mehershahi,
Manager, N M Wadia Parsi Dharamshala, Udvada

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In keeping with the accelerated pace of robberies and burglary attempts taking place in Udvada, on 10th December, 2019, yet another failed attempt was made at the Sea View Kapadia Bungalow, located on Gymkhana Road, in Udvada. This bungalow, which belongs to Mehernosh Kapadia, is currently utilized as a Holiday Home for employees of the Tata Group. Being a Holiday Home, there weren’t any valuables or assets for the thieves to lay their hands on. As per his routine, on the said day, caretaker Pankaj Halpati went into the bungalow to switch off the garden lights and found the lock broken and the doors shut.

Social activists and our media reporter, Shahin Mehershahi and Rohinton Irani, were present at the site and aided the process with the Pardi police, assisting them in their interrogation with the caretaker and the neighbourhood. Pardi police PSI, Shakti Sinh Jhala, immediately arrived at the scene with his team and forensic experts and took the necessary action. He has prioritized special urgency to sorting out the robberies in our village and has assured full support in controlling the crime. Despite PSI Jhala’s efforts asking Udvada locals to get Police verification done of the staff they employ from neighbouring states, in the recent Gram Sabha, no one seems to be following the diktat. This show of leniency amongst Udvada locals is greatly to blame as it is these precautions which could be of great help to avoid future robbery issues.

Though the village has been installed with CCTV security, the Gymkhana Road lacks this facility, across a long stretch. The thieves, being well-aware of the placements of the cameras, are able to plan their moves accordingly.

Social activists, Mehershasi and Irani have suggested a special drive termed, ‘Friends of Police’ – the formation of a group comprising residents of the village, with the support of the Pardi Police, patrolling the village, as concerned citizens. They run a group named ‘SASU’ or ‘Safe And Secured Udwada’, which comprises over 40 active local members (and growing), who are alert and of help, at any given time. SASU admits only local residents of Udvada.

“We as residents of Udvada are making every attempt to curb the crime rate in Udvada and in the neighbouring villages too. We plead to community members to alert the local police, especially if they are senior citizens, or they lock their houses for months at length. Ensure to employ people with proper verification and not by reference; Societies are requested to verify security staff too with valid verified documents. We should start by helping ourselves and the police by staying alert and secured. Here’s looking forward to a Happy and Crime-free New Year 2020!” concludes Mehershahi.