Commercial activities in Jharkhand's Jamtara district came to a grinding halt on Thursday as local traders kept their shops closed in a widespread protest. This demonstration was a direct response to a brazen armed robbery at a prominent jewellery store in Kayasthapara the previous evening, which left the store owner critically injured from gunshot wounds.
A Daring Daylight Heist Turns Violent
The incident unfolded around 6 pm on Wednesday outside the jewellery store owned by Aman Verma (35). According to police reports, four men arrived at the location. Two of them, brandishing firearms and wearing masks, entered the premises while their accomplices waited outside.
The masked duo proceeded to loot ornaments from the store. When Verma attempted to resist the robbers, they opened fire. He sustained gunshot wounds to his stomach and neck. Before fleeing the scene, the miscreants also fired shots in the air, creating panic among local residents.
Verma was first rushed to the Jamtara Sadar Hospital. Given his critical condition, he was later referred to a private hospital in Durgapur, West Bengal, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Police officials stated that the total value of the looted jewellery is still being ascertained.
Trader Anger Boils Over, Police Launch Probe
Angered by the violent crime and perceived security lapses, the trading community of Jamtara took strong action on Thursday. They not only kept their establishments shut but also took to the streets, raising slogans against the police administration. The protest saw solidarity from local leader and former civic body chairman Virendra Mandal, along with workers and members of the district chamber of commerce.
As a precautionary measure, heavy police deployment was ensured at key locations across Jamtara town. The local MLA and Health Minister, Irfan Ansari, visited the crime scene. He announced that the police have been directed to crack the case within 24 hours.
Jamtara Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Mehta, who visited the spot soon after the incident, provided details of the investigation. A special investigation team (SIT) led by two Deputy SP-ranked officers has been constituted to identify and arrest the culprits. SP Mehta indicated that preliminary findings suggest the involvement of an inter-state gang.
Questions Raised Over Security Preparedness
In a significant revelation, SP Rajkumar Mehta claimed that there had been negligence on the part of the store owner regarding security advisories. The police official stated that he had met with local jewellers just 10 days prior to the incident to discuss bolstering security measures on their premises.
According to Mehta, Aman Verma did not follow the suggestions provided during that meeting. The initial probe revealed that there were no functional CCTV cameras installed at the jewellery store. Furthermore, the security guard posted at the store was not present at the time of the robbery, having reportedly gone out to buy snacks when the robbers barged in.
The incident has sparked a serious debate about the safety of businesses in the area and the effectiveness of police advisories. The traders' protest underscores the growing concern among the business community regarding their security and the need for more proactive measures to prevent such violent crimes in the future.
