States vow to combat bandit menace

Darpan Singh, Agra

Top police officials of three states — Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh — have come up with a master plan to deal with bandits unleashing a reign of terror in areas bordering the three stats. At a meeting held at the Agra police lines here on Wednesday, officials discussed the issue at length and also suggested ways to deal with the menace.

They have resoled to work jointly to end the menace once and for all. For the first time, instead of convening a meeting of top police officials, COs and SHOs of the three states attended such a meet and exchanged information for a more effective crackdown in their respective areas. Agra SSP Raghubeer Lal, who also attended the meeting, told HT on Wednesday, “We have resolved to launch a combined combing operation after preparing a list of the most-wanted dacoits.”

Sources said the officials who stressed the need to have a proper system in place to obtain and share information regarding the firepower of dacoits operating from forests and details of those patronising them. The officials felt this would help reign in the bandits. They also resolved to free those abducted and also carry out operations in villages which provide logistical support to bandits at the earliest.

It is to be noted here that around half-a-dozen gangs, including those led by Jagan Gurjar, Kamal Gurjar and Ram Sahay Gurjar, are active in Rajasthan. These gangs have been carrying out their activities in areas of Agra bordering Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Police sources said gangs operating from forest areas in Rajasthan have caused more trouble for the Uttar Pradesh police.

Due to the lack of proper coordination between the police of these three states and a joint strategy in place, police could not do much In case of the infamous kidnapping case of Kheragadh or the abduction of the son of a trader at Chhata in Mathura. The victims had been kept in forests where these gangs reign supreme due to logistical reasons. The meeting also resolved that lack of resources would not be allowed to hamper police operations as all three states would act as a unit.

The gangs which have cause most problems for the police are active in areas of Bharatpur and Dhaulpur of Rajasthan which are not far off Agra. The police stations which will be carrying out operations against these gangs include: Rupwas, Chiksana, Badi, Sahpau, Maniya, Kaulari, Basai and Basai Dang. The police stations of Agra which are affected by the menace and share borders with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are: Jagner, Basai Jagner, Jaitpur, Pinahat, Basauni, Kheda Rathore, Mansukhpura, Fatehpur Sikri, Achhneri and Kheragadh.