Pune jewellers say bandh successful

Pune, Dec 29 (UNI) Pune Saraf Association (PSA) President Fatehchand Ranka today claimed the bandh called by the city jewellers was successful and about 10,000 jewellers participated in the protests, against police failure to check increasing armed dacoities.

Talking to UNI, Mr Ranka said none of the jewellers had any intention to hurt any community by protesting against the burqas.

''It is a matter of security, we have lost jewels worth lakhs. It was not directed against any community. We had asked for permission to display boards to restrict burqa-clad customers from entering the shops to the State Home Ministry but so far, we have not received any response from the department,'' Mr Ranka said.

But as per some reports from Mumbai, the State Home Ministry has rejected the request last night, still there is a need to receive the communication. However, no written apology has being given, he added.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner D N Jadhav has assured the PSA that a special cell would be created to look into the spate of robberies and attacks on jewellers, Mr Ranka said.

The PSA observed the bandh to protest the failure of police in checking daylight attacks and robberies in jewellery shops in the city. In the past four months, nearly 25 such cases were reported.

The PSA was also pressing for restricting the entry of burqa-clad customers as a security measure.

UNI DWN GB KR VV1951