No arrests in extortion attempt cases, Hisar shopkeepers down shutters

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, July 5

The traders’ community vented their anger by resorting to a near complete bandh at the city’s main markets, including auto market, Nagori Gate, Tilak Bazaar, Gandhi Chowk, Rajguru Market, Patel Nagar, MC colony market, Sarafa Bazaar and the medicine market today.

The traders and shopkeepers joined hands to observe the bandh to protest against the failure of the police to arrest the gangsters who were involved in the firing at a showroom and had demanded extortions from at least three traders in the city recently.

Besides the main markets, small shopping complexes in the residential sectors and even tea shops remained closed through the day. The traders also staged a dharna till 2 pm at the Nagori Gate market.

The Haryana Vyapar Mandal had given the call for Hisar bandh to press their demand of arresting the accused. The protesters said they were demanding the safety and security of people in Hisar, especially traders as they were being threatened.

The traders have been up in arms against the state government after the firing incident, wherein around 30 bullets were fired outside a Mahindra showroom in the auto market on June 24 in broad daylight by three motorcycle-borne gangsters. They also left a slip at the showroom demanding Rs 5 crore. Two more extortion bids were reported in the next two days, where gangsters had sent voice messages to traders Manish Goyal and Kittu Bansal demanding Rs 2 crore each. The gangsters also threatened the traders of dire consequences in case they failed to pay up.

Mandal’s state president Bajrang Das Garg said the state government had failed to ensure the safety of the traders community in Hisar and other towns of Haryana,too . “The failure of the police to arrest the gangsters involved in these incidents has boosted the morale of these criminals and indicate failure of the government. The Chief Minister, who cannot protect his people has no right to remain at his post,” he said.

Besides the market associations affiliated to the Haryana Vyapar Mandal, the Petrol Pump Association, Indian Medical Association and the Bar Association of Hisar also extended their support to the Hisar bandh today and observed strikes at their respective establishments.