NAGPUR: Angry residents of Bajeriya, left desperate by relentless harassment of an externed goon and his gang, have asked Ganeshpeth police to act against the goons or they would take law in their own hands. The letter signed by the residents, a copy of which is with TOI, was submitted to Ganeshpeth police.
The failure of the Ganeshpeth police to rein in the goons in central Nagpur, especially Bajeriya, has now pushed the citizens including traders, to organize against the anti-social elements as they have lost faith in the police’s ability to tackle their problem. The gang is also also targeting women and young girls who are now finding it difficult to move in the locality.
With cops remaining mute spectactors, citizens are threatening to deal with anti-social elements themselves. A group of 70-80 people had marched to the home of the goon Shakeel Ansari a couple of days ago to pin him down but found him absent. Ansari, despite being an externee, has been staying at Bajeriya and targeting residents and traders with his accomplices. It is learnt the traders have been told to shut shop by 9 pm unless they cough up ‘hafta’ for him.
Ansari and his aides were booked last year for damaging several vehicles, tea kiosks and shops during a rampage. After getting bail in the matter, they have resumed their criminal activities at Bajeriya. “Police always favour the goons. Though he is creating nuisance every day, the Ganeshpeth police turn a blind eye to the problem,” said a local resident on condition of anonymity.
Apart from Ansari and his gang’s nuisance, Bajeriya, Cotton Market and Bhaldarpura have become a hotspot for illegal activities like selling of narcotics, gambling dens and bootlegging apart from mushrooming bookies.
Gambling den is operated by one Sandeep near Gandhi chowk. It is learnt illegal liquor is being sold by one Raja at Bajeriya and Sarwar near Cotton Market. Local residents said Saddam, Sunny and Raja also sell MD powder which is a narcotic. One Vicky operates gambling den near Ganjipeth police post. “Pappu, Saddam, Sandeep and Chhotu Saazi are operating cricket betting dens without any fear as they are close to cops too,” said another resident.
Zonal DCP Lohit Matani said he was looking into the matter.