Zone 5: Ahmedabad’s ‘murder capital’

A 50-year-old auto-rickshaw driver burned his two daughters to death because they were receiving blank phone calls.

A 25-year-old woman was strangulated to death by her husband at her residence in Sardarnagar during a domestic quarrel.

A 55-year-old man was killed by his neighbour during a quarrel over parking space.

A youth was murdered over a dispute involving money.

A group of six youth beat their friend to death over an alleged love affair.

These are some of the unusually brutal murders which were committed in eastern Ahmedabad during the last five years. This part of the city, particularly Zone 5 of the policing district, has acquired a reputation for violent crimes most of which are committed in a fit of anger over petty disputes.

Data on crime for the last five years reveals that there were more incidents of violent crime in the poverty-ridden eastern part of Ahmedabad than similar areas in the western part of the city. The situation is particularly bad in Zone 5, so much so that areas such as Gomatipur, Bapunagar, Rakhiyal, Odhav, Amraiwadi and Ramol are referred to variously as the 'murder zone' of the city and 'murder capital' of Ahmedabad.

In the last five years, 518 people were killed in the whole of Ahmedabad city. Out of these, 136 were murdered in Zone 5 alone, the highest among the six police zones of the city. For policing purposes, Ahmedabad city is divided into two sectors and six zones.

Atul Karwal, who is the joint commissioner of police, Sector 2, said there are several reasons why eastern Ahmedabad is more prone to crime. "One of the biggest reasons is the demographic profile of the area. The area has a higher incidence of illiteracy and poverty,
and it lacks many civic amenities," he said. The stressful life of migrant workers living in the area is also another reason for the high incidence of crime in Zone 5. ACP, 'H' division, BS Jadeja said the migrant workers have a hard life, which makes them prone to crime.

"They work for many more hours than most people. They have unusual work profiles and are always under stress. All this makes them more prone to crimes committed on impulse," he said.

Sociologists blame the high crime rate to the areas long history of violence, particular communal strife. This is aggravated by poverty and lack of amenities, they said.