Stop Traffic, Claim Police Won’t Take Action Against Criminals Unless Paid Bribes
Dwaipayan Ghosh | TNN
New Delhi: A day after a 29-yearold jeweller was murdered by four armed assailants inside his shop during a robbery in Krishna Nagar, east Delhi, RWAs and trader associations hit the road, protesting against the police inability to protect them. The traders shut down all shops in the Lal Quarter area for the entire day.
“We blocked traffic on Road 57 (Karkardooma Court-Anand Vihar route) and sought alms from the people so that we can provide the money to the police. Until we grease their palms, they will not protect us,’’ said Sandip Kapoor, secretary of the Krishna Nagar Residents Welfare Association. The RWA claimed they collected Rs 500 by the evening.
As a result of the protest, traffic between Shahdara in northeast Delhi and Anand Vihar in east Delhi came to a standstill for over three-and-a-half hours. The effect was felt on Seelampur approach road and the Karkardooma crossing clogged even as cops diverted vehicles through other roads. Schoolchildren, returning home, suffered worst of the jams and Times City saw at least three school buses stuck on the road.
Locals said there is spurt in crime in the area. “Chain snatchings are a daily affair. Recently, there were three big robberies at Son Bazar, Jheel Kuranji and near Guddu Bakery. The owner of Gambhir Medical was shot at by unidentified assailants inside his shop in Jagatpuri. Khandelwal Medical Store was looted. My house has seen two burglaries in the last seven days. And people tell of a few criminals riding a black Pulsar who have struck four times in the past few days near Cross River Mall in Anand Vihar,” said B S Vohra, president of the east district RWA joint front.
On Thursday, a curfew like situation prevailed inside Krishna Nagar. With cops cracking down on two-wheelers, vendors and even rickshawpullers, Lal Quarters — usually bustling with energy — looked like a ghost town. Over 500 people had gathered outside the Gambhir residence. On Road 57 near Swarn cinema another 250 protestors kept traffic at bay.
A few metres ahead, cops from three police stations — Geeta Colony, Farsh Bazar and Krishna Nagar —kept a close watch. “We are not going to push things. Our investigation has proved that the accused knew their way through the narrow bylanes of Krishna Nagar. We are trying to find out the route taken by the accused. Their modus operandi hints at involvement of a couple of gangs who were active here earlier. We do not want to divulge the details right now,” said DCP (east) O P Mishra.
The police said they were investigating if the beat policing needs a change. “We are mulling ID cards for all outsiders who plan to enter this area. All two-wheelers will be checked and movement of those who have come out of jails recently will be checked. We will advise jewellers to put up CCTV cameras and locks to ensure their safety. Police will meet RWAs and traders associations in the coming days,’’ said Mishra. The probe of Gambhir’s murder case has been handed over to the special staff. Police sources said the SHO of Krishna Nagar might be suspended after being sent to the police lines.
UP IN ARMS: Traffic was badly affected in east Delhi due to the agitation by traders and other residents of Krishna Nagar.
with thanks : Times of India : link above for Online edition of TOI.
Though i have been misquoted.
B S Vohra
President
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front
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