Exploring new opportunities is the hallmark of a good entrepreneur. It appears that Mumbai's underworld gangs which carry out their operations 'corporate-style' are eyeing greener pastures too.
Exploring new opportunities is the hallmark of a good entrepreneur. It appears that Mumbai's underworld gangs which carry out their operations 'corporate-style' are eyeing greener pastures too.
As regions like Bellary in Karnataka and Goa emerge as goldmines for illegal mining, underworld gangs are diverting their attention to southern states to rake in the moolah. Intelligence officers told DNA that some gangsters are demanding hafta (protection money) from those trading in the mining and real estate sector in Karnataka.
"It is like a side business for them. It provides them a steady supply of income to run their gangs," said an intelligence officer.
Sources said gangs headed by Hemant Pujari, Vijay Shetty, Ravi
Pujari and Santosh Shetty, who was recently arrested, are continuously making chilling extortion calls to their targets in the southern state. Their operations have got a boost in the region as they already have some important contacts in Karnataka because of their local origin.
"The recruitment of the foot soldiers is being done at a considerable pace so that more targets can be identified and more money can be earned," said another officer. However, it has not been smooth sailing for the gangsters from Mumbai.
They have been facing stiff opposition from local gangsters in Karnataka who thrive on extortion money. "There is a possibility that this might give rise to underworld activities in Karnataka," sources said. Bannanje Raja, Kali Yogish, Koraga Shetty are some local dons who are feared in Karnataka for their extortion activities.
Police officials insist that though gangsters are looking at Karnataka for additional revenue, their focus remains on Mumbai. At least six film personalities, including actor Suresh Oberoi and director Sohail Khan, have received extortion calls in the past couple of months.
Karnataka accounts for about a quarter of iron ore shipments from India. It is the world's No 3 supplier of the steel-making raw material after Australia and Brazil. It also has a booming real estate industry with Bangalore leading the way.
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