Defunct scanners at cop HQ endanger security Visitors Too Inconvenienced By Long Queues S Ahmed Ali TNN  Mumbai: All the scanning machines—an X-ray device to scan vehicles, a bag screener and hand-held metal detectors—at the entrance of the Mumbai police headquarters at Crawford Market have broken down, making the premises vulnerable. Visitors also have to face a harrowing time as they have to wait inordinately long to be checked before being allowed inside.     With the vehicle scanner-—which is fitted underground and connected to a computer that monitors every car entering the premises—not working for six months, personnel check vehicles with a hand-held mirror, which can hardly be called a foolproof procedure, said a source. In the absence of the bag screener, cops have to rummage through every visitor’s bag, but that again is not an absolute deterrent to unscrupulous elements carrying in explosives, the source added. This, the source said, when the Mumbai police headquarters is under constant terror threat. In fact, the premises and the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) headquarters in Nagpada were among the top targets of IM founder Riyaz Bhatkal, outfit member Yasin Bhatkal had revealed during interrogation.     Visitors are also upset with the slow process that builds up a long queue at the entrance. “Policemen physically check every person as a result of which there is always a long queue. I was carrying a gift for my friend and wanted to meet an officer. I showed the bill but the personnel forced me to open the gift wrap to check inside,” said Madhumati Shinde, a visitor. The frisking of visitors often leads to altercations as well. Even policemen have to go through the same procedure. “I was carrying my lunch box. The box was almost transparent and I said it contained nothing but food. But they made me open it. It slipped from my hand and the food fell to the ground,” said a cop.     After police commissioner Rakesh Maria directed additional commissioner (security & protection) Kiran Shelar to look into the lapse, he carried out a surprise check on Tuesday when he caught a few cops sitting casually at the gate. “There is some technical problem with the equipment. We are repairing them and they should be functional in a week,” said Shelar.  VULNERABLE FOR 6 MONTHS     A car scanner is fitted underground and connected to a computer monitor, which checks for any suspicious object from under vehicles. This device has not been working for 6 months     The second device is a bag-screener, through which visitors have to pass their bags. The machine has been out of order for three months     Lastly, cops check individuals with handheld metal-detectors. None of them works  SAFETY BREACH     In the absence of the vehicle-scanner, cops check cars with hand-held mirrors, which is hardly a foolproof procedure     Cops frisk visitors and rummage through their bags, again not a watertight safety measure     Unconfirmed reports say the maintenance contract for the devices has expired and so the delay in repairing them