Troubled by extortion calls, traders employ pvt security

Tarn Taran, August 25

Unhappy over the inadequate steps taken by the police against gangsters who have been demanding ransom from businessmen, residents of Chohla Sahib have arranged for their own security and safety.

Pawan Kumar, Bhupinder Kumar Kala and some other victims of extortion calls said here on Saturday that they have arranged for 10 security personnel at a cost of Rs 18,000 per month for the main bazaar shopkeepers. Extortion calls being received by the people from gangsters have badly hit business. Many businessmen have either migrated to safer places or bought peace being of the view that in case they are to run their business, it is better for them to reach a compromise with the gangsters. At the same time, the people are not satisfied with the response of the police and the administration in these cases. In Chohla Sahib alone, there are more than 24 businessmen from whom the gangsters have been demanding ransom. Some of them reached an understanding to buy peace.

Some of the victims get police security while others prefer to have an arms licence for self-defence. It is a matter of great concern as getting an arms licence is not easy and costly too as a hefty fees has to be deposited with the Red Cross. Chohla Sahib is the town where two months back, armed men belonging to a gang fired shots and injured two.

Pawan Kumar and Bhupinder Kumar said that as many as six victims of the extortion racket met the SSP and the Deputy Commissioner weeks back for arms licence. They said that their representation (application) was sent to the Deputy Commissioner by the SSP but weeks have passed and they are yet to get the licence.

There are reports that the men associated with the infamous gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa of Harike, Prabh of Dasuwal, Satnam Singh Satta of Naushehra Pannuan, Yadwinder Singh Yada of Chama, Amritpal Singh of Mianpur and many others have their men in the area to collect ransom.

Ajayraj Singh, SP (Detective), said that extortion calls were received by the residents, ranging from five- 5-6 to even 12 a month. He said that just two to three persons have been given security, though the number may vary. He said that the police recommend arms licence to the DC. Gangster Landa demanded extortion worth Rs 50 lakh to more than Rs 1 crore. Gundeep Singh, who is running his paint store at the local Sarhali road, said that he received extortion calls from an unknown person on his WhatsApp on August 20, who demanded Rs 10 lakh.