Police Commissioner Meets with Sarafa Traders to Address Concerns
Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singhal held a meeting today with the Sarafa Association's president, members, and around 100 Sarafa traders. The meeting took place at 4:00 PM in the conference hall at the Police Bhavan, where key issues affecting the traders were discussed.
Main Discussion Points:
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Handling Stolen or Suspicious Property: The meeting addressed the guidelines for seizing stolen or suspicious property. Traders raised concerns about the need for a copy of the panchnama (a formal record) when stolen gold is recovered. There were also complaints about the police recovering more gold than reported, causing confusion among traders about the investigation process.
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Vigilance Committee's Role: The traders requested improvements in the functioning of the Vigilance Committee and proposed that meetings be held every three months to ensure better communication. They also suggested appointing the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) to oversee the Vigilance Committee for more effective management.
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Cybercrime and Fraud Prevention: With a rise in cybercrimes, traders reported receiving fraudulent calls and requested police assistance in dealing with these issues.
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Transport of Suspected Jewelers: Concerns were raised about the police practice of transporting suspected jewelers in police vehicles without sufficient evidence, which can lead to unnecessary defamation. The traders suggested establishing a fair procedure to handle this issue.
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Evening Security in Sarafa Market: Traders emphasized the need for increased police presence in the Sarafa market, especially in the evenings, to prevent anti-social elements from causing disruptions during encroachment activities.
Police Commissioner Dr. Singhal acknowledged the traders' concerns and assured them that the police would take the necessary steps to prevent harassment. He emphasized that investigating officers would provide traders with copies of the First Information Report (FIR) and any related documentation. Additionally, the police would ensure that statements are taken at the traders' shops to minimize inconvenience. The Vigilance Committee will be strengthened to address the issues more effectively.
Dr. Singhal also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the police and Sarafa traders. He urged traders to conduct police verifications for all gold and silver traders operating in the Sarafa market and maintain records of customers' identities. Installing CCTV systems was also recommended for enhanced security.
Furthermore, Dr. Singhal mentioned the use of advanced technology by Nagpur police, such as "Crime GPT," to understand criminal behaviour and improve crime prevention. He instructed all police inspectors to engage directly with the public through community meetings rather than summoning them to the police station, fostering better relations between traders and the police.
If any traders experience undue harassment, they are encouraged to report it directly to the Police Commissioner, who promised strict action against any offending officers. The Commissioner also advised all traders to employ watchmen and take adequate security measures.
The meeting was also attended by Joint Commissioner of Police Mrs. Ashwati Dorje, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mr. Sanjay Patil, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mrs. Anita More (Kotwali/Lakadganj Division).
This meeting marks a significant step towards improving cooperation and trust between the police and the Sarafa traders in Nagpur.
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