Fed up with goons, Rajkot traders march to police commissioner office

Rajkot, 5 September 2014

Traders and businessmen marched in a rally in Rajkot from Kalavar road to police commissioner office today and sat in protest there for half an hour. Leader of ruling party(BJP) in Rajkot Municipal Corporation, and former Porbandar BJP MP were among those present in this rally.

Shop owners, traders and businessmen demanded strict action against goons and mafias in Rajkot before the commissioner. CD Khant, relative of one of the victims said: Rajkot city which was once famous as Rangilu Rajkot(colorful Rajkot) has been lately in grip of notorious elements, anti-social groups, extortionist, goons, illegal money-lenders, romeos and land mafias. More worrisome development is that the city has now newer lot of 17/18-year boys who threaten and thrash common people. This is very unfortunate situation, and police is not doing enough to liberate the city from these elements.

Khant’s feelings were echoed by dozens of other businessmen from various parts of city who were participating the rally.

Haribhai Patel, former MP of Porbandar who was part of the rally said police somehow don’t arrest culprits, or when culprits are caught, police treat them softly. It’s a matter of concern for everyone that a new younger cadre of goons and mafias is emerging in city. Patel pointed out particular cases in which arrest was not made by police even after culprits were identified and easy to catch.

Author’s note:

There’s something wrong with this city Rajkot and even surrounding areas. Let’s just look at only some of the incidents reported in last four-five days:

-Transporters of station plot area observed complete strike against goondaism and terror of anti-social elements. On Sunday night, Bharat Bajaj and his two brothers were in their office when Arjun Lavadia, Bholo Ahir and Hitesh Humbai came there. They were drunk and demanded extortion. When Bharatbhai refused to give them money, they attacked Bharatbhai and his brothers and looted Rs. 22,000. In a short time, nine other members of same gang came there and ransacked nearby Jalaram transport’s office. On Monday morning, transporters from station plot gathered but didn’t open shutter. At 11.00 am they reached Police Commissioner office in rally shape. While Arjun Lavadia was arrested and thrashed by police in presence of transporters, other culprits are still at large. Locals say Arjun and his gang is active in this area for last three years, but in last one year their activities crossed all limits. Locals complained at Lodhavad police chowky for number of time, but A division police station d staff and chowky’s majority of staff actually support this gang. Transporters told police commissioners that instead ot taking action against gang members, local police was advising transporters to give money to do business peacefully.

-Notorious elements have made Kalavad road, Gauravpath and under bridge as their permanent home. There was a time when woman could pass through main roads of Rajkot even in the midnight, but the situation is not same. Just take a round of these areas to see it for yourself. Girls passing through these stretches are not safe even in daytime. Those who park their vehicles in the ground thrown bear and whiskey bottles from their car.

-Mohanbhai Sarvaiya and his family members were at home on Tuesday evening in Sadguru society on Bhavnagar road. Vijay Ranchhod Kobia, Tushar alias Bhuro, Mahesh alias Bado, Kishan alias Chibo Bhimji were drunk and speaking bad language. Mohanbhai asked them to go away from his home. In response, the notorious group started beating up Mohanbhai brutally with bricks. Bhimjibhai, his wife Vijayaben, mother Jetuben and daughter Mittal were injured and taken to hospital. A complaint was filed against four accused by Mittal.

-Harishbhai Somaiya is into tea-business. He was sitting his home on 28 August night with his wife Binaben. Pavan Tea Company’s Hanifbhai came to his house with two-three unidentified people and threatened to kidnap his son if he fails to pay pending money in three days.

-Karunashankar Shantilal Vyas(65) was with his family members at his home on Wednesday night when at 11.00 pm Pravin, Uka Bhuva and 60 other persons entered into their house with weapons. Vyas family’s house was ransacked with full force. Karunashankarbhai(65), son Jayesh(19), wife Shobhaben(48), Rohit Sanjaybhai Patil(20) were injured and taken to hospital in Rajkot. Lodhika police is investigating the case.

-Pardi citizens led by local Sarpanch visited Collector office and demanded strict police actions against 15 person who consume liquor and disturb peace in this village occasionally. Villagers accused that these notorious persons also harass village girls. They said they earlier visited Lodhika police station with same complain but got no response. Villagers said if village is not liberated from harassment of notorious people, they will observe bandh.