BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move to check extortion-related offences in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the commissionerate police have formed an anti-extortion task force (AETF) on Friday. Commissioner of police Sudhanshu Sarangi launched a special programme ‘no to extortion’ (dadabati ku na) and warned the gangsters of stringent action if they harass citizens, especially businessmen in the twin cities.
A helpline number will be issued by Monday to enable people to report such matters to the AETF, which would function under the additional commissioner of police Rekha Lohani.
A tagline with logo of 'no to extortion' programme launched by the commissionerate police.
"We will have zero tolerance against gangsters and extortionists, who normally target contractors, businessmen, builders, developers and fish vendors among others. The victims usually hesitate to report such matters to the police for fear of retaliation from the gangsters. But the vulnerable groups should come forward, lodge complaints and help us put the extortionists behind the bar,” Sarangi said. Police said identities of the informers and complainants would be kept secret.
Police stations have been asked to create a database of the extortion racketeers, who were earlier arrested on charges of forcible collection of protection money. “Deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) in the twin cities will conduct weekly supervision of the cases related to extortion. The Additional commissioner of police will review progress of the investigation into such cases once every fortnight,” Sarangi said.
Sarangi promised rewards for informers and police personnel for their accurate information and legal action, respectively. “When we issue the anti-extortion helpline number, people can either call us or send us information via SMS, WhatsApp and Telegram. We will ensure anonymity of the informers and suitable rewards for them if their information leads to arrest of the accused,” Sarangi said.
The police commissioner said DCPs and officers of the police stations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack would hold regular interactions with vulnerable groups, who are targeted by the extortion gangs. “We appeal to the citizens not to succumb to the demands of the gangsters. Be it Rs 100 or Rs 500 extortion for any purpose (for construction of houses, running a business or organising festivals/Durga puja), compliance to the demands of the extortionists would create more problems for the victims. This will give rise to new gangs and gang wars. People should muster courage and inform us,” Sarangi said.
Police said extortionists would face tadipar and be booked under national security Act (NSA). Police said they have kept a close watch on the gangsters lodged in various jails following a few instances of extortion money being demanded by them from the prison premises.
The commissionerate police recently booked jailed notorious gangster Mohammad Shakeel under national security act (NSA) for issuing extortion threats to businessmen from the prison premises. The police had earlier arrested Sk Hyder, Tito (Syed Usman Ali), Sushant Dhala Samant and his brother Sushil for running extortion rackets.