Ghaziabad witnessed unprecedented public anger Tuesday with markets closed for the second day and politicians demanding the senior police superintendent's removal over Sunday's armed robbery of a jewellery shop owner. loot and grievous injuries to its owner.
Gaurav Garg of Deepali jewellers was attacked when he was returning to his residence after closing the shop and jewellery valued Rs.18 lakh was robbed from him. He suffered bullet injuries when he offered resistance and is in critical condition at the Yashoda Hospital.
The Ghaziabad police have failed to arrest the attackers and robbers. "Most shockingly, the auto thieves stole Garg's scooter also from the spot where three bullets were pumped into him," said Rajendra Tyagi, vice president of the Municipal Corporation Executive Committee, while addressing traders who started a sit-in at the site. "No one is safe in the city. Women are scared of taking a walk as they fall victims to chain snatchers," added Tyagi.
Tyagi said two jewellers have been shot dead and over half a dozen others grievously attacked while jewellery and cash valued over Rs.2 crore have been looted in the city this year. Traders' organisations have announced they would continue closure of markets till the police catch the culprits.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including city unit chief Ashok Monga and others, have demanded immediate removal of Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Yadav and blamed him for failing to control crime. The BJP leaders at the sit-in site alleged the goons are roaming around in dark-coloured glass cars with a political party flag on the hood. They added no police officer could muster courage to check their vehicles.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to the SSP, requesting him to arrest the culprits of armed heists at the earliest. Earlier, traders and political activists took out processions and staged dharnas against the deteriorating law and order situation and Sunday's armed robbery.
Traders' organisations have supported the BJP-called sit-in at the police office while the ruling Samajwadi Party has extended support to the traders' cause. Circle Officer II Atul Yadav said, "Attempts are being made to nab the robbers. Negotiations with traders and political organisations are continuing to end the stalemate."
