Delhi L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday sought an urgent meeting with Lt Governor V K Saxena to discuss the steep rise in gang-related extortion cases and alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital.
AAP MLAs, in a letter to the L-G, said that they are concerned by the recent surge in gang-related violence and extortion in Delhi.
The call follows three recent shooting incidents targeting business owners in various parts of the city.
Three incidents of firing occurred in the capital last week — at a car showroom in Naraina in west Delhi, a hotel in southwest Delhi, and the sweet shop — all of which are linked to extortion activities by gangsters, according to police.
"We, the members of the legislative assembly, are deeply concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation and alarming increase in gang-related activities in Delhi, which is evident from three incidents of firing upon business owners/houses," the letter said.
These incidents of open shooting and extortion attempts on residents are not only giving a bad name to Delhi but are also detrimental to the reputation of the country, being the capital city, it added.
"This issue was elaborately discussed in the recent session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. We have lived in Delhi for decades, but such deterioration of law and order was never witnessed in Delhi," the letter reads.
The letter claimed that if this menace is not curbed, then businesses will be forced to shut down, which will severely impact the city's economy.
The MLAs added that they would like to have a constructive discussion on the issue as the subject of "police" is a reserved subject for the NCT of Delhi and is directly under the control of the central government and LG. The MLAs sought an urgent meeting on Monday to discuss the possible measures that could be taken to curb the alleged rising lawlessness and restore confidence among the people and the business community in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference later in the day, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that Delhi's businessmen are in terror due to the gangs.
"The people of Delhi are terrorised by the presence of many active gangs in the city like Neeraj Bawana gang, Bishnoi gang, Goldy Brar gang, Bhau gang, Boxer gang and many others," he said.
"To discuss the problem, our MLAs have requested the L-G for an meeting on Monday and I am hopeful that L-G will give time today itself," the minister said.
Bharadwaj further claimed that there needs to be a discussion that why FIRs are not being registered.
"I was talking to a police officer and got to know that in the past six months, there had been almost 500 complaints regarding extortion calls. But out of 500 complaints only 15 FIRs have been registered," he said.
Taking a dig at Saxena, Bharadwaj said the L-G should at least do "some of his duty" and inspect police stations as he is directly responsible for the city's police.