Ghaziabad witnessed unprecedented anger after a sharp spurt in crime. The agitated political class cut across party lines and demanded the removal of Ghaziabad SSP Dharmendra Yadav.
The markets in the city remained close for the second day after the incident in which a city’s reputed jeweller was critically injured and cash and jewellery worth over Rs 18 lakh were robbed from him. The jeweller was attacked when he was returning to his residence after shutting shop on Sunday late night. The police have failed to arrest the culprits.
“Most shockingly the carjackers lifted the victim’s scooter from the spot where three bullets were pumped into his body,” said Rajendra Tyagi, vice president of Municipal Corporation Executive Committee, while addressing the traders at the dharna site. “No one seems safe in the city. Women are scared to walk freely. They are victimised by chain snatchers,” added Tyagi. Meanwhile traders’ organisations have announced the continued closure of markets till the culprits are arrested by police. Two jewellers have been shot dead, over half a dozen jewellers attacked and jewellery and cash worth over Rs 2 crore have been robbed this year alone, informed Tyagi.
The BJP leaders, including city chief Ashok Monga and other agitating leaders demanded the immediate ouster of Ghaziabad SSP who has failed to stem the rising tide of crimes. The BJP leaders alleged that the ruffians were roaming freely in cars with tinted windows and party banderole. No police officer could pluck up the courage to vet these vehicles. Police has been emasculated, claimed BJP leaders at the dharna venue. In the meantime, Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to the SSP wherein they requested the arrest of culprits at the earliest.