Thefts at Parliament Lodges, again

Two similar incidents in a span of few days cast doubt on security measures.

ISLAMABAD:

Two recent thefts at the Parliament Lodges point to a serious security breach. On both occasions, the modus operandi was the same, with no signs of forced entry.

“If thieves can easily bypass security systems, I cannot feel safe in my home,” said MNA Kashmala Tariq, one of the two victims.

Two days ago, thieves targeted the lodge of Senator Surraya Ameeruddin and made away with gas heaters and a music system.

Last month, some parliamentarians living in the lodges were also deprived of valuables. However, the Secretariat police have not yet been able to find any leads in their investigations.

Senator Tariq said, “First I suspected it could be one of my servants until I heard a similar incident took place at the lodge of Senator Surraya.”

There are four police posts in and around the premises of lodges. “I don’t know what type of security they are providing us. After this incident, I no longer feel safe here,” she added. In her complaint lodged with the police, Tariq said that she left her laptop at her lodge before leaving and on her return it along with a gas heater was missing.

The police said they found no signs of forced entry. However, one of the windows showed “signs of disturbance”.

A police official said, “There was not even a scratch on the door and its lock.”

He said the thief was extremely careful not to leave evidence behind, adding that police have taken fingerprints from each site. The theft at Senator Surraya’s lodge was either the act of the same individual or a gang of thieves, police believe.

On their part, the Secretariat police are not happy with how the legislators ignore security protocols.

“Even their drivers shout at us if we stop and inquire about the identity of people entering the lodges as guests,” said a police official.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2012.