Dhanbad Police Pressure Forces Prince Khan Gang to Shift Operations
Dhanbad: Mounting pressure from the district police has forced members of the criminal gang led by fugitive gangster Prince Khan to shift their operations to other parts of Jharkhand. Two associates of Khan were arrested after an encounter on March 8. Three members of the gang sustained bullet injuries in another encounter with the police on March 16. Extortion calls to businessmen and traders, which form a major area of operations for the gang, have reportedly stopped in the district since, according to police records.
Recent reports indicate that gang members are now making extortion calls to traders outside the district. A Ranchi-based jeweller lodged a complaint with the police on June 4, alleging he received an extortion call demanding Rs 5 crore in Khan's name. On June 5, a Ranchi-based builder also reported a similar call. Earlier, Chatra crusher businessman Prem Singh and Palamu jewellery trader Ranjit Soni had reportedly received extortion threats linked to the gang.
“Police action has dismantled the gang’s operations in Dhanbad district. Continuous raids and arrests have weakened the gang to the extent that new members are not joining the ranks,” Dhanbad SSP Prabhat Kumar said. Investigators stated that unemployed youths, misguided youths, and petty criminals were earlier being lured into the network to expand Prince Khan’s influence across Jharkhand.
