Than: Than town in Surendranagar district known or its ceramic units observed strike on Tuesday against menace of anti-social elements. Locals who joined the strike said the town is in grip of fear of goons, extortionists and anti-social elements. Such elements have no fear of police. Many traders have been victim of extortionists. Many owners of factory units have shifted to nearby towns, as it’s no more safe to live in Than.

There’s no doubt that due to failure of police and increase in the number of anti-social elements, the opposition Congress party is gaining here politically. Chotila MLA Rutvik Makwana, Limdi MLA somabhai Patel, district panchayat president Kalpnaben, city Congress chief Mangubhai among others joined by Chamber of Commerce leaders and large number of traders and citizens participated in a rally during the strike to police station, shouting slogans against goondaism.

They demanded appointment of strong police officer in Thangadh, permenent deployment of two police men in Azad chowk, make presence of one police inspector mandatory in the morning and evening time. Restart the nonfunctional CCTV cameras present in Chowk based police chowky, appointment of two strict and strong police inspectors and arrest of accused in cases of attacks on businessmen.

It’s worth noting that father-son businessmen Hasmukhbhai and Vishalbhai suffered brutal attack of extortionist when they were in their shop. Local police failed to nab the culprits following which strike call was given.

Locals said, the police force of district is only interested in milking money from illegal Carbonacium Cell mining and transportation. Capable police men are not appointed and cops with wasted interest manage to get appointment and hold the post by any means.

DeshGujarat