In a crucial breach of security four containers have gone missing from the country’s largest port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai. This is the first theft on JNPT Premises ever.

The incident took place on August 19, 2007 in a well planned operation, where bogus documents, drivers’ licences and registration plates were used to drive the containers out of JNPT premises.

JNPT officials confirmed the missing containers, but refused to give details. A complaint has been lodged with the Navi Mumbai police, while some JNPT employees have been issued show cause notices for the lapses.

Each of the containers held spare parts of water purification systems, six clear float glass sheets, 640 bags of a chemical Methyl Nitroimidazole (reportedly used for making medicines for treatment of stomach upsets) and 128 BWS knitted fabrics- all worth about INR 47 lakh

The matter came to light after the freight service, that was to do the delivery complained to JNPT that it had not received the said containers.

The containers were to be transported to Speedy Container Freight Station near Sonari village of Uran. However they were whisked off by someone else. This has triggered security concerns within the port. The vehicles reportedly passed through the entry points manned by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

“It is a matter of great concern that container should go missing from a port which has an International Shipping and Port Security certification. There is an urgent need to review the security at the JNPT and investigate the lapses by various departments” said a JNPT official.