Police in Ghaziabad have taken strong action against a group that was openly distributing sharp weapons in a residential area, leading to panic among locals. An FIR has been registered against 46 individuals, including the chief of a fringe outfit, and ten people have been arrested in connection with the incident that occurred on Monday.
Police Raid Halts Weapon Distribution Drive
Acting on a tip-off, a large police contingent comprising more than 50 officers from Shalimar Garden and Sahibabad police stations swiftly reached the spot in Shalimar Garden. The group had set up a makeshift kiosk and was allegedly handing out swords, axes, and knives to passersby. Upon seeing the police arrive, many members of the outfit fled the scene on their motorcycles.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nimish Patil stated that the activists had distributed nearly 250 swords during their campaign. He confirmed that the group not only distributed weapons at the kiosk but also visited homes in the locality to hand them out. This brazen act triggered significant fear and unrest among the residents of the area.
Key Accused and Alleged Motivation
The First Information Report names Pinky Chaudhary (49), also known as Bhupendra Chaudhary, who is the chief of the outfit, as the primary accused. Other named individuals include Harsh Chaudhary, Annu, Shyam Yadav, Amit Singh, Mohit Kumar, Arun Jain, Ujala Singh, Amit Kumar, Mahendra Pradhan, Rampal, Mohit, Radheshyam, Amit Prajapati, Shravan Chandel, and Kapil. Additionally, 25 to 30 unidentified persons have also been booked in the case.
According to the police, the members of the outfit cited recent incidents of violence, specifically the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and other Hindus in Bangladesh, as the reason for their weapon distribution campaign. Pinky Chaudhary, in his statements, reportedly claimed that while such a situation has not arisen in the state, the government should provide licenses to Hindu households to possess sharp weapons for self-defense in case of attacks.
Legal Action and Community Impact
The police have invoked relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code against all the accused. The arrests and the registration of the FIR underscore the authorities' stance against any unauthorized distribution of weapons that can threaten public order and safety.
The incident has highlighted concerns over attempts to incite communal tension and disrupt the peace in Ghaziabad. The police have assured the public that they are investigating the matter thoroughly and will take all necessary steps to prevent any such activities in the future. The swift response by the force has been aimed at restoring calm and confidence among the worried residents of Shalimar Garden.
