Auto-stripping on rise

19 June 2009

Auto-stripping or removal or intentional destruction or defacing of any part of a vehicle has increased significantly over the years, according to the police. There had been 12 cases of auto-stripping across the country until March this year.

According to the police, auto-stripping is a petty crime. The sentence is value-based, which means the fine for the crime is based on the amount of loss calculated in money. According to the Penal Code of Bhutan, a person shall be guilty of the offence of auto-stripping if he or she removes, destroys, or defaces any part of a motor vehicle.

The police have found a pattern in auto-stripping over the years. It is reported more in Thimphu.

Observers say that lack of enough parking spaces in the town leads to people parking their cars at vulnerable locations. But carelessness on the part of car owners is also said to be contributing to the proliferation of the crime.

The police say that most of auto-strippers are alcohol abusers.

“I live in Changjiji. There’s no garage so I had my new car parked on the ground near the building. The following morning, I found that the front part of my car was badly scratched,” said Kinzang Yeshi, 32. “Changjiji area is not safe,” he added.

To address the problem, there are policemen on patrols in Thimphu. There are police outposts in Taba, Changzamtog, Changjiji and Babesa.

By Kinzang Choden

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