Disturbing news is coming from the United States, Canada and Europe about Indian criminals who are spreading their tentacles over there. It is defaming our country as a crime hub, which is in so bad shape that organised gangs centred in India have extended their activities even to the western world. Crimes are common in the West too. But they pursue a policy of zero tolerance for crimes and use the full force of law to curb and eliminate it. It may be argued that many so-called democracies act like dictators and despots when their interest demands. But they at least do not tolerate organised crime in their respective countries.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has said that it may shortly request the Government of India to extradite gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. This hardened criminal heads a well-knit international gang of criminals from a jail in Gujarat. Bishnoi is facing charges for heinous crimes like murder, smuggling, narcotic trade, criminal intimidation, etc. Bishnoi is lodged in jail since 2014 and yet operating as a criminal gang head with impunity. It is reported that he has access to not only cell phones but also uses satellite phones. It can be easily understood that Bishnoi cannot have such facilities without the connivance of some jail authorities, police officers and criminal-minded political leaders who are not rare in our political system.
This writer was once told in Ahmedabad by a businessman who had business contacts with one of the highly placed political leaders in Delhi that once thelatter had to transfer one police officer from one district to another. That leader had friendly relations with that officer. Therefore, he did not demand any money. But the other officer who was replaced was overjoyed for the transfer of his choice without having paid a fat amount to that worthy political leader.
The US DoJ has made detailed investigation research and indicted gangsters connected with Bishnoi gang, who has established a well-knit network in the US, Canada and a number of corporate centres. Reports also indicate that these Indian criminals are involved in smuggling drugs into the USA. Some illegal arms have been recovered from their possession. The US DoJ has up to now arrested 24 persons connected with the Indian crime syndicates operating in the US, Canada, and Europe. Some of them are accused of murder of Hardeep Sing Najjar, a Khalistan separatist leader.
It is a matter of great concern that the shadows of Indian criminal gangs have extended up to several western countries. It is time that we stop tolerating crimes, big or small. Many crimes are being tolerated and no action is being taken against the criminals whose victims are Dalits, Muslims and minorities. A crime is a crime. It must be stamped out mercilessly and dealt with the severity of law. More than that it is needed that fear of God, sense of responsibility and moral values should, and must, be promoted in the society with full force.