Police round up 96 'goons' from MIDC areas

Additional Superintendent of Police, Ramnath Pokale said, "There is great competition between locals while providing manpower to industries, construction sites and other companies in Chakan, Talegaon Dabhade and Ranjangaon MIDC areas.

No more strong-arm stuff: The Bhosari MIDC area. A preventive detention drive was conducted by the local crime branch of different police stations that have MIDC areas under their jurisdiction . File Pic

This competition is leading to murder, attempt to murder, body offences and rioting."u00a0He added that these persons sometimes threaten industrialists and construction companies and extort money.u00a0

Pressure tacticsu00a0
A police officer with the rural police said that these goons, who are connected to labour unions, try to stall loading and unloading work at industrial units through ‘mathadi workers' if extortion demands are not met.

The goons also believe that their political connections can save them from police action. Taking notice of the growing number of complaints against anti-social elements creating a menace in MIDC areas, the police decided to take stern action.

As part of the drive against these elements on Wednesday and yesterday, the local crime branch of the rural police along with the respective police stations detained 96 persons and has taken preventive action against them.

More to come
Pokale said that SP (Rural) Shahaji Solunke instructed the local crime branch (LCB) and police stations concerned to act against these racketeers and also keep a tight vigil on such activities.

The preventive detention drive was conducted by LCB of Chakan, Ranjangaon and Talegaon Dabhade police stations. "We are sure that after this action, such incidents will be curbed to a large extent and such drives will be continued in the future also," Pokale said. u00a0