0

Surat: A series of armed robberies and kidnappings targeting Surat’s diamond industry has sent the city’s merchants and police in a tizzy.

On Monday morning, several armed men robbed the bungalow of diamond merchant Ashok Savani in Surat and even before he could react, the robbers had killed the watchman, ransacked the house and fled.

Earlier this month, seven-year-old Naya Karsoliya, son of a diamond designer, was kidnapped and later killed.

Panic has set in among diamond merchants and they feel that they have become a soft target.

"This is a very dangerous trend. The diamond industry is a soft target. We think the police is not active as it should be,” complains gems manufacturer and exporter, Rohit Mehta.

There has been an increase in crimes like armed robbery, murder and kidnappings in Surat since 2004. The diamond industry is now demanding that the police must provide more protection.

"We have been making representations to increase police personnel in Surat city. If this trend continues, new diamond industries will not come into Surat and the existing units will move away,” President, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pravin Nanavati says.

However, the police say things are under control.

"The police is doing its job. Patrolling has been intensified but people also should co-operate with the police,” Additional Commissioner of Police, Range II, V M Pargi says.

The state government continues to woo foreign investors but increasing crime in Surat, which is the heart of a thriving diamond-polishing industry, is sending out the wrong message.

(With inputs from Kinnari Patel in Surat)

More on: Gujarat, surat, diamond industry, merchants, crime