Thieves galore at MCH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH) has become a place where crooks and thieves of various kinds lurk in disguise of patients and bystanders. Crimes like thefts and vehicle-lifting have become a common affair inside the hospital campus. Even though the number of crimes has risen to an alarming level, the police seem least interested in checking them.According to the data available with the police, the total worth of the loot during the past one decade has crossed Rs 1 crore, including the precious ‘Nazhikamani’ clock reportedly priced at over Rs 70 lakh, gifted by the Travancore Royal Family to the Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital, and numerous motor vehicles.Scores of cases registered by the police during the past ten years lie unsolved, much to the dismay of the victims. The official statistics say that the number of vehicles that went missing from the hospital premises during the past ten years was 161, out of which 65 were motorcycles. The rest comprised cars and autorickshaws. Majority of these vehicles have not been recovered by the police yet.The number of cases of the theft of other possessions, including mobile phones, gold ornaments and money, during the time between year 2000 and 2010 stands at 45. The number of cases solved in this category too remains minimum.  P K Raju, social activist and a member of SAT Hospital Development Council, alleged that despite huge protests, the police had not taken  fruitful efforts to solve the cases and ensure the safety of the wealth of people who come to the hospital for various needs.However, the police, when contacted, passed the buck to the hospital authorities. According to them, the police were not the only ones to be blamed for the frequent crimes that take place inside the hospital premises.  The Sub Inspector, Medical College Police, Saji Sankar, told ‘City Express’ that the cooperation of the hospital authorities was also necessary to curb the increasing thefts."Over the years, the police had put forward several suggestions before the Superintendent of the hospital, such as installation of surveillance cameras and moving the present parking lot closer to the hospital, to address the issue,’’ he said.However, they have not received any positive response from the hospital authorities in tightening the security, for unknown reasons, the Inspector added.