15 September,2021 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Anurag Kamble
A patrol team of cops on Gaondevi Road, Bhandup West, on Tuesday
The Bhandup police have swung into action and stepped up vigilance on Gaondevi Road after mid-day reported about the return of hafta-vasuli gangs to the area. In the past five days, officers detained 22 hooligans and revellers. Harassed for long, traders heaved a sigh of relief and said the police presence has paid off, as goons have stopped frequenting the area.
On September 10, mid-day reported that goons had been threatening and assaulting shopkeepers on Gaondevi Road. In protest, they had shut shops on September 8. Gaondevi Road Vyapari Sarv Seva Mandal had warned of a massive agitation if police failed to take cognisance of the consistent harassment within eight days.
After holding discussions with the traders, police collected the names of the hooligans troubling them and senior police officers have been instructed to keep beat chowky active.
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"As per the complaint, we have increased patrolling and also asked traders to inform us as soon as they spot any goons in the area or if anyone else troubles them. Night patrolling has also been increased to keep a check on thieves trying to break into shops," said an officer from Bhandup police station.
The police action has brought the much-needed relief to more than 400 traders in the area.
Mithalal Gupta, who runs Ravi General Store, said, "The situation here has changed within a few days. Now, police on patrol duty come and ask us if we have any issues. The frequency of patrolling has also increased. And the police presence has paid off. The goons have stopped roaming about in the area. We always lived in fear of these goons barging into our shops or harming us, but now everything has changed."
Bhandup police have also initiated externment process against one Sandeep Patil for failing to obey orders. He was involved in a bloody brawl with one of the traders. A dedicated team has been formed to hunt down three more goons reported by the traders.
Shyam Shinde, senior inspector of Bhandup police station, told mid-day, "We are addressing the concerns of traders, and have assured them that they will face no trouble from anyone henceforth. They have shared a few names of notorious people who indulged in hooliganism and assaults. We will take action against them soon."
"To maintain peace, we need active participation of each and every element of the society. The active participation of traders will ensure seamless business for them in the area," Shinde added.
Ghisulal Solanki, the president of Gaondevi Road Vyapari Sarv Seva Mandal, expressed pleasure over the development. "Police called us and noted down our concerns. We don't want to protest or increase trouble for police, in fact, we want peace in the area. Police have assured strict actions against goons at the earliest, and the change is already visible. We hope this peaceful environment will last."
The last time the area witnessed a series of assaults was in 2018. Eight murders were reported during the first eight months that year.
22
No. of hooligans detained so far
