Chandrapur police warn against threatening, extorting companies
Chandrapur police told over 100 companies they will crack down hard on scrap theft and extortion targeting industries in the district
The Chandrapur district police administration has moved to provide a secure environment for local industries. Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani chaired a special meeting held recently at the police auditorium on Tukum Road, attended by heads and representatives of more than 100 companies in the district, including Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).
The meeting focused mainly on drawing up a detailed strategy to stop scrap theft and rein in those demanding extortion. Also present were Additional Superintendent of Police Ishwar Katkade, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Pramod Chaugule, Local Crime Branch Police Inspector Amol Kachore, District Traffic Branch Police Inspector Amol Barapatre, Ramnagar police station Inspector Prabhavati Ekurke, Durgapur Police Inspector Santosh Shegaonkar and Padoli Police Inspector Sudhakar Kokode.
Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani said the police administration is fully committed to industrial development, law and order, and the safety of companies in the district, and that strict action would be taken against thieves, scrap smugglers and extortionists.
The meeting held detailed discussions on law and order in industrial areas, rising scrap theft, worker safety, traffic congestion and unlawful pressure being put on companies. It was decided to step up day and night patrolling within the jurisdiction of the concerned police stations to prevent theft incidents in the areas of WCL and other companies, with special police watch on all sensitive locations. Additional traffic police staff and arrangements will also be deployed as needed to ease the traffic congestion at the Brahmapuri overbridge area.
On worker safety, companies were directed to make insurance mandatory for their workers so that families can receive financial help in the event of an accident. It was noted that Dhariwal company adds insurance for workers at the time of opening their bank accounts, while Dalmia Cement provides insurance cover from the first day of employment. Other companies were urged to adopt similar welfare policies immediately. The district traffic branch will also run a special awareness campaign at industrial establishments to ensure workers wear helmets and follow other safety rules.
Most importantly, Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani warned that using workers as a front to threaten company management, extort money or exert any kind of wrongful pressure would not be tolerated at all. He said companies facing such pressure should contact the police directly without fear, and that cases would be registered immediately against those involved, with no leniency shown. The programme opened with introductory remarks by District Special Branch Police Inspector Shyam Gavhane, while Sub-Divisional Police Officer Pramod Chaugule proposed the vote of thanks. The meeting also noted that providing a safe environment for industries and safeguarding workers' welfare is a key objective of the administration, for which regular coordination between police and companies will be maintained.
