The Hindu : New Delhi News : Robberies force traders to down shutters

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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New Delhi

Robberies force traders to down shutters

Staff Reporter

At least three such incidents reported in the past fortnight in Kalkaji

NEW DELHI: A large number of shopkeepers in Kalkaji B-Block market here downed their shutters on Monday to protest against a sudden spurt in cases of armed robbery in the area in the past few days and the growing sense of insecurity among the business community.

Alleging that the law and order situation in the area had deteriorated during the past few months, the shopkeepers gathered outside the Kalkaji police station and blocked traffic for over three hours. They alleged that robbers were striking at will and the police had failed to provide any security.

On Sunday, some robbers armed with country-made pistols robbed an electronics goods shop owner Naresh Thukral of Rs.20,000 in cash, a gold chain and a ring. “At least three incidents of armed robbery have been reported in the past fortnight creating fear in the minds of the business community. Four-five armed young men barge into shops and make off with whatever they can lay their hands on. They even rob customers present in the shop. We decided to down the shutters today to voice our concern against the police inaction,” said Mr. Raj Kumar Aggarwal, who owns Aggarwal Bikaneri Sweets on Kalkaji main road.

Kalkaji Vyapar Mandal secretary Harbans Singh said: “Just a few days ago the robbers struck at Madan Property Dealers and the previous night robbed an electronics goods shopkeeper. Earlier this month, the gang robbed a mobile shop in K-Block. The situation has never been so bad in the past 10 to 15 years. We have also spoken to our MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra and then decided to raise our voice against the growing menace.” Blaming the growing incidents of robbery on police inaction, Kalkaji Vyapar Mandal president Sudhir Sood said: “It is the same gang that has repeatedly struck in the past few days and the police seem completely clueless. It is sheer failure of local intelligence.”

Refuting the charges, Station House Officer (Kalkaji) Joginder Kumar said: “We had several rounds of meetings with the area shopkeepers and patrolling has been stepped up. We have also sought reinforcement, but the problem cannot be tackled without the co-operation of locals.”

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