MIAL tightens rules to prevent thefts at airport

* On February 25,Mumbai crime branch busted a gang of four loaders working for Cambata Aviation for stealing valuables from the luggage of passengers.

* Even former CBI director Joginder Singh was not spared at the Mumbai airport. He found his digital camera and ipod missing upon arrival in Delhi.

* On February 2,Andheri police caught two loaders for stealing valuables from passengers’ baggage.

These cases throw light on the frequent thefts committed by loaders at the Mumbai airport. While law enforcement agencies have been taking action against them,by making several arrests,the problem remains acute,according to Sahar police. In view of this,the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has introduced some stringent measures on airport premises.

Loaders are now not allowed to take mobile phones into the baggage makeup area. “Loaders are likely to steal valuables in the baggage makeup area,where all checked-in baggage is tagged. We’ve banned all loaders from carrying mobile phones into the luggage makeup area,” said a MIAL spokesperson. According to an airport official,this will prevent them from stealing mobile phones.

“We are also carrying out surprise checks,with the help of the CISF,to screen entry passes of airport staff,as unwanted elements may sometimes get into the airport,” added the official.

The airport operator is also banking on the government’s new ground handling policy. “Once the new ground-handling policy comes into effect,we’ll set minimum service standards for ground handlers to conduct themselves,” said the spokesperson. According to the new policy,there would be only three ground handling companies operating at the airport against around 40 at present.

Meanwhile,police said that the arrest of loaders,based on information,did curb the thefts to a certain extent. However,the lack of Close Circuit Television Cameras because of the renovation work going on is a big disadvantage. “There is renovation and development work going on at the airport and therefore there are many places where CCTVs have not been installed. Loaders take advantage of that,” said Dilip Patil,Senior Police Inspector,Sahar Police Station.

“The recent arrests are acting as a deterrent,” he added. Surprise checks are also yielding results. “In the last 10 days,we’ve confiscated 40 mobile phones from loaders who entered the baggage makeup area carrying mobile phones,” said the spokesperson. Meanwhile,the four loaders arrested by the Sahar police on Thursday confessed to having a hand in another theft at the airport. They have confessed that they had stolen mobile phones from a Jaipur-bound cargo container that had arrived from Hong Kong,police said.

“We have recovered four mobile phones from them and registered a second case against them. They will be produced in court tomorrow. We will ask the judge to extend their remand,” said Dilip Patil,Senior Police Inspector,Sahar Police Station.