Thousands of traders are shaken by the three bullets that rang out at 9.20pm on Friday, less than 100 metres from Rospa Tower on Mahatma Gandhi Road, a.k.a. Main Road, felling rice trader Narendra Singh Hora, 56, who was riding home to Pepee Compound on his scooter.
Though chief minister Raghubar Das directed police to solve the murder quickly in the wake of the massive traders’ protest on Saturday, no real headway has been made till Sunday.
Eyewitness and CCTV camera footage said Hora was followed by the trio on a bike for some time. Police, who have detained 50 persons from 10pm on Saturday to 3am on Sunday, assume the killers knew Hora had Rs 5 lakh in his scooter’s dicky.
How can murderers kill on the capital’s most famous road and vanish into thin air? Well-known industrialists and businessmen shared their anger and fear with The Telegraph
‘Criminals have no fear’
Law and order here is pathetic and people feel unsafe. A man is shot dead in one of the busiest arteries of the city
capital. It means criminals don’t fear police. Top police officials in their offices talk about strategies to improve law and order. Police claim PCR patrols round the clock but the fact is that PCR cops rest inside vans and believe beacon lights will keep criminals away
Deepak Kumar Maroo
President; Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries
‘Disquiet among people’
This problem is not restricted to the business community only, even common people are affected. There is sense of disquiet among people. The government should not tolerate such a situation. Ranchi police have the latest infrastructure and manpower. Organised gangs are no more active today but police must identify and act against individual and standalone gangs
Mahesh Poddar
Industrialist & BJP Rajya Sabha member
‘No safety, no biz ease’
The government talks about ease of doing business. Somebody should tell the government that ease of doing business is directly related to law and order
Vikram Khetawat
Textile dealer
‘Should we shut shop?’
In Ranchi, most traders shut shop around 8.30pm. Many carry home their cash. During this period, patrolling should increase. Where was patrolling near Rospa Tower where Hora was gunned down? I know many businessmen who want security guards and arms licence but their request is not entertained. Security around banks is lax. Patrolling near petrol pumps and gas agencies should be tight as they are vulnerable targets. Even today (Sunday), criminals snatched cash from an LPG dealer in Argora. Should we stop our business?
Ravi Bhatt
Petrol and LPG dealer
‘Where’s beat policing?’
From petty to major; crime graph in capital has soared. Police become alert only during VIP visits. Things like PCR and mobile tigers have become white elephants. Few year ago, Ranchi police launched beat policing. I don’t know if that works
Deepak Lohia
Leading bookseller
‘Traders soft targets’
Even last month, Rs 8 lakh was snatched from an employee of a trader at Pandra. Traders are soft targets. Accountability (of police) must be fixed at all levels if crime goes unchecked. Years ago we had asked Ranchi police to form a committee of traders and police to discuss how to improve law and order. It did not happen.
Chandrakant Raipath
Realtor