Addressing App Vulnerabilities: Mohali Police Target Ride-Hailing Platforms Amid Carjacking Surge

Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek Announces Special Investigation Team to Examine Drawbacks of Cab-Hailing Apps

In response to a series of carjacking incidents involving cab rides booked through mobile apps, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Deepak Pareek has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This dedicated team will scrutinize the operations of app-based cab services, focusing on potential drawbacks and verification processes for drivers and passengers.

Mohali Police to Form Special Investigation Team in Response to Alarming Taxi Robbery Cases

Amid a series of disturbing carjacking incidents involving passengers who booked rides through mobile applications, the Mohali police department has announced its decision to establish a special investigation team (SIT). The primary focus of this dedicated team will be to thoroughly examine the functionality of app-based cab services and address concerns regarding the need for adequate driver and customer verification processes.

This decisive action from Mohali police follows a recent case in which two men were arrested for robbing a cab driver of his vehicle after booking a ride through the intrusive mobile app. The perpetrators booked the cab from Sector-43 ISBT in Chandigarh to Sector 109, Mohali, and committed the robbery around 4 a.m. on Monday.

There was no other way out. At least I have an income now,” the report quoted Hegde as saying. “Don’t wait to adapt to changing times transition now unless you can sustain for the long term.

As the SIT investigates the operations of these mobile app-based cab services, authorities aim to identify potential weaknesses in their systems and collaborate with the app’s headquarters to ensure proper verification measures are implemented for both drivers and passengers. By doing so, the Mohali police hope to enhance the safety and security of cab-hailing services and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

In light of a series of carjacking cases involving cab rides booked through mobile apps, particularly the inDrive app, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Deepak Pareek has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This dedicated team will examine the operations of app-based cab services and address concerns surrounding driver and passenger verification processes.

SSP Deepak Pareek stated, “We have noticed a pattern of carjacking incidents where the perpetrators used the inDrive app to book cab rides. To tackle this issue, we are forming an SIT consisting of cyber experts, including DSP Cyber Crime and inspectors. The team will analyze the potential drawbacks of these cab-hailing apps and collaborate with their headquarters to ensure proper verification measures are implemented for drivers and passengers.”

This announcement comes after Mohali police arrested two men who robbed a cab driver of his vehicle on Monday. The men had booked the cab ride from Sector-43 ISBT in Chandigarh to Sector 109, Mohali, using a stolen mobile phone and a fake profile created on the inDrive app. The SIT’s formation demonstrates the Mohali police’s commitment to enhancing the safety and security of app-based cab services and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Kirana Stores in Metros: Impact of Quick Commerce and the Need for Adaptation

As rapid grocery delivery apps like Zomato’s Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket’s BBNow, Swiggy Instamart, and Flipkart Minutes gain popularity, traditional Kirana stores in India are feeling the pressure to adapt and innovate to stay competitive. While the impact on these local stores has been most pronounced in metropolitan areas, the game is far from over for these long-standing staples of Indian commerce.

With approximately 13 million Kirana stores across the country serving as the primary points of sale for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and villages, their importance cannot be overstated. Many industry leaders maintain that a significant shift away from Kirana stores will unlikely occur shortly.

“We don’t see any massive shift in retail dynamics moving away from Kirana stores in the foreseeable future,” Mayank Shah, vice-president of Parle Products, told the Economic Times. “Yes, quick commerce is the new rapidly growing channel, but even as we speak, 85-87% of our annual sales continue to come from neighborhood grocery stores and remain crucial to our boardroom strategies.”

While Kirana stores in metropolitan areas face more significant challenges due to the rising popularity of quick commerce apps, many have started exploring alternative strategies to remain competitive and retain their customer base. By embracing technological advancements, optimizing their supply chains, and focusing on personalized customer service, these local stores are finding ways to survive and thrive in the ever-evolving retail landscape.