Gujarat police are intensifying efforts to tackle anti-social elements across the state, following directives from Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay. Police stations have been given a 100-hour deadline (until Wednesday) to compile lists of local ‘goondas’ to initiate coordinated action. This crackdown, triggered by violent incidents in Ahmedabad and Morbi, involves property demolitions, arrests of suspects, and other stringent measures aimed at addressing criminal activities.
The latest wave of action follows an attack on Alap Soni and his family on March 13 in Ahmedabad’s Vastral area. According to a report, a group of 19-20 men ambushed the family near Nirant crossroads, blocking the road and smashing their vehicle when they attempted to pass. The assailants also assaulted the family members. An FIR was quickly filed at Ramol police station, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals, including a minor.
Aldeep Motilal Maurya, Aasil Vasant Makwana, Shyam Ashok Kamle, Rohit alias Durlabh Kishan Sonwane, Mayur Bharat Marathi, Nikhil Pramod Chauhan, Vikas alias Bittu Mahendrasingh Parihar, Pradeep alias Monu Arunkumar Tiwari, Rajvirsinh Narendrasinh Bihola, Alkesh Satyendrakumar Yadav, Ayush alias Bobby Ashoksingh Rajput, Ankit Dinesh Rajput, and Deepak Vijay Kushwaha were named in the FIR, the report added.
These suspects were charged with attempted murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and wrongful restraint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police later revealed that out of the 14 arrested, six had no previous criminal records, while four had a history of prior offenses. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) also took action, demolishing illegal portions of properties linked to six of the accused. The operation was carried out in conjunction with the police, and the civic authority attested that these properties were unapproved structures.
The demolition in Ahmedabad wasn’t a one-off. A similar action was undertaken in Morbi on March 13 — local civic administration razed shops connected to a family of alleged bootleggers involved in a violent confrontation with the police.
On March 14, posts from the Ahmedabad City Police and Gujarat Police on social media showed the accused being paraded and beaten with sticks, which the police called “prompt exemplary action.” However, the videos sparked controversy, prompting DGP Sahay to review the situation.
To demolish unlawful parts of a property owned by Rafiq Haji, the brother of suspected bootlegger Iqbal Haji, and others, the local civic authority in Morbi district dispatched JCBs. “A total of 44 shops built on illegally encroached government land were demolished,” Morbi SP Rahul Tripathi remarked in reference to this case. Twelve of these belonged to Rafiq Haji, while the others were illegally possessed by other people.
The crackdown is part of the government’s broad strategy to address anti-social elements, with Sahay promising more stringent actions. The Gujarat High Court recently turned down a petition challenging the short notice for demolitions, reinforcing the rapid and decisive nature of the operation.
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