SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 10: Traders at the Dhanbad Agriculture Market downed shutters on Monday to protest against the loot and firing incident that took place late Sunday evening, when bike-borne criminals attacked a wholesale oil trader and fled with a large sum of cash.
According to Dhanbad District Food Traders Association (DDFTA) general secretary Vikash Kandhway, all shopkeepers have joined the protest, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and adequate security for traders. “The businessmen have only two demands — arrest of the criminals and assurance of safety for traders,” Kandhway said.
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The incident occurred around 9 p.m. near the market gate under Barwadda police station limits, when three assailants on motorcycles snatched a bag containing ₹4.5 lakh from oil trader Shyam Bhimsaria. The criminals allegedly hit him with the butt of a country-made pistol and opened fire when Bhimsaria and a labourer tried to resist.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shankar Kamti, who reached the spot soon after receiving information, said police have launched a search operation. “We have obtained some leads about the assailants, and raids are being conducted based on those clues,” he stated.
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DDFTA president Vinod Gupta and general secretary Kandhway said the shocking incident has left traders deeply shaken. “Until the criminals are arrested and proper security arrangements are ensured, shopkeepers of the Agriculture Market will not reopen their establishments,” Kandhway asserted.
