Nashik city police pull up socks after dressing down

Tightening the noose around criminals and their unlawful activities, Nashik city police have taken steps and increased visible policing and are taking stern action against defaulters.

After they were pulled up for rise in crime rate last fortnight, Nashik city police have taken steps by firstly making arrests in almost all major crimes that took place recently. Four persons, who were accused in the murder case of Panchavati, six others involved in murder of a youth on ND Patel road, two involved in theft of Rs7 lakh at a wine shop and other such crimes are now behind bars.

"We have increased visible policing and become aggressive in prevention of crime," said police chief S Jaggannathan

Having analysed the patterns of crime, murders, its locations, situations, age group of those involved, mapping activities, movements of known criminals, the cops have tightened noose around them. After they realised that youngsters loiter around roadside eateries late in the night, cops have strictly enforced closure of such eateries by 10pm.

"We also found that there was a direct or indirect connection of alcohol in most of the crimes. So, we are taking steps to ensure that deadlines issued by the excise department to the wine shops are followed. We have asked all wine and liquor shops to display their deadlines on the shop itself," he added.

In a special drive, all police stations in Nashik have been asked to prepare the list of known criminals. "Preventive actions are being initiated against them. If need be, they will also be detained as preventive measure," Jaggannathan said.

Recently, involvement of youngsters in criminal activities was seen largely. "Considering this, we have stopped youth from hanging around in nooks and corners at night," he said, adding "There are plans to conduct meetings in various localities to prevent youth from mingling with criminals."

Simultaneously, combing operations are being conducted in Nashik slums. Nakabandis have been conducted for five times in seven days and 1,392 cases under violation of Motor Vehicles Act were filed, recovering a penalty of Rs1,41,200. Seven hundred and forty seven cases were effected to control crime on roads, 73 history sheeters were rounded up last week and seven cases of burglaries uncovered; 230gm gold, 120kg of copper and two LCDs were confiscated from them in various crimes.

Four countrymade pistols, 18 knives, including daggers and jambiyas, were confiscated in the raids, along with nine stolen motorcycles. Police were also able to uncover a murder case where in four persons were arrested during these raids.

In another raid on a shop at Deolali, cops recovered 15 sharp knives brought for sale. Two hardened criminals were arrested when they were on their way to commit crime last week and one countrymade pistol, two bullets and two choppers were confiscated.

In another action near Ambad stadium, the police arrested three persons, all residents of Bihar, for carrying unlicensed countrymade pistols and had brought them with an intention to sell them. On a tip-off, cops laid a trap and arrested them. Cops now aim to discipline auto drivers and are taking help of RTO and Nashik Municipal Corporation.

"We are conducting unpublicised and sudden combing operations regularly, recoveries of illegal weapons, stolen vehicles and detection of various crimes is taking place. Apart from all this, we have increased policing from 9 to 11pm, especially on poorly lit and side roads," Jaggannathan stated.

The police will soon step up community policing and hold meetings of Mohalla committees to increase people's participation to prevent crime during Kumbhmela, he added.