Now, thieves target earth movers

• Batteries, fuel and spare parts stolen from overnight parked heavy vehicles
• 20-25 theft cases every month, says Association; seeks Police intervention

Mysuru: Close on the heels of miscreants stealing batteries from a KSRTC bus parked near Ambedkar Bhavan, close to Devaraja Traffic Police Station recently, the Earth Movers Association Mysore has raised concerns over an alleged increase in thefts targeting heavy vehicles parked along roads and at construction sites.

Addressing a press conference at Patrakarthara Bhavan this morning, Association members said batteries, fuel and spare parts were being stolen from earth movers, bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, dozers and cranes, used to dig, push and transport soil, stones and earth on major projects, parked at various locations in the city.

Association President Jagadeesh said members undertake work assigned by the Mysuru City Corporation and other civic agencies and usually leave their heavy vehicles at work sites after completing the day’s work.

“Thieves are taking advantage of the late-night hours, particularly between 1.30 am and 3 am, when these vehicles are left unattended. Batteries, fuel and small spare parts are being stolen,” he said.

The Association claimed that around 20 to 25 such incidents were taking place every month across different Police Station limits and the stolen spare parts are sold without any trace.

They expressed concern over what they described as reluctance by some Police Stations to register complaints or even issue Non-Cognisable Reports (NCRs).

The Association members said that the absence of registered cases made it difficult to assess the actual extent of the problem and resulted in financial losses for vehicle owners.

The Association also alleged that several CCTV cameras installed and operated by the Police in different parts of the city were not functioning. Some Police personnel, it claimed, also lacked the technical expertise to retrieve footage from the cameras.

Warning that the situation could worsen if immediate action was not taken, Association members said thousands of heavy vehicle owners could be forced to park their machinery on main roads and launch a major protest.

Association members Pranesh, Venkateshwara Reddy, Murali Raju and Subramani were present.