24 October,2010 07:16 AM IST | | Akela
Thane police commissioner trains businessmen to trap extortionists targetting them. So far, the police have nabbed two Pujari gangsters
Businessmen in Mumbai and Thane can now heave a sigh of relief. Of late, they had been receiving extortion calls from gangsters like Ravi Pujari and Hemant Pujari. With little confidence in the police, they chose not to complain and instead approached a mediator to pay the ransom demanded.
Harassed businessmen
When SPS Yadav, Commissioner of Police, Thane, heard about this, he was shocked and decided to reinstate their faith in the police force.
Yadav zeroed in on one such incident and set up a plan, which managed to get two extortionists arrested. Naresh Patel (name changed), who is a builder from Thane, was receiving threats for over a month from Hemant Pujari who was asking him for Rs 25 lakh as protection money.
According to police sources, Yadav convinced Patel over three days to file a complaint and assured him that police protection will be allotted to him and his family. He was also assured of being provided a licenced revolver for his safety.
Plan of action
Last week, the businessman asked the extortionists to meet him near Thane Railway Station where policemen were stationed. They eventually managed to nab two gangsters who belonged to Hemant Pujari's gang.
The accused was identified as Ganpat Mithulal Prajapati, a resident of Dombivili. After he was interrogated, the police were able to arrest Janardan Manjaya Pujari, another associate of his. Yadav is now appealing to other businessmen to follow suit.
Training and arms
"I appeal to all the businessmen to show confidence in the police. We will assure their safety and provide them training to catch hold of extortionists. We are ready to train them in the usage of arms and provide them with an arms licence as well," said Yadav.
