Cops launch ‘Operation Hands Off’ to disarm goons

Nagpur: City police chief BK Upadhyay kicked off ‘Operation Hands Off’ to put a brake on the increasing incidents of assaults and murders by goons by seizing their arms through pro-active actions. All police stations and the crime branch have been ordered to simultaneously start action.
The aim is to reduce the impact of the gang enmities and also other rivalries that result in armed conflicts among gangs. City already has seen 14 murders this month and that has warranted a fresh restart from the police. The top brass also instructed the police stations to form special intelligence collecting unit.
Upadhyay had commenced ‘Operation Crackdown Phase –II’ on June 5 during which 1,234 criminals known to keep weapons were checked till June 22. In all, 11,823 criminals, including 5,626 goons with murder and attempt to murder records were checked till June 22. Six offences of firearms and 131 for sharp weapons were also registered.
CP Upadhyay said ‘Operation Hands Off’ was launched to disarm the body (assault cases) and property (theft, robbery and burglary cases) offenders. “Widespread searches have been ordered including at the residence of known goons and also check persons known to keep weapons,” he said. “If there are no weapons, the damage is less and usually not fatal. So this intensive drive is all about searching and seizing of arms,” he said.