Itwari bullion traders in Nagpur get extortion letters in Bishnoi gang's name

A climate of fear has gripped Nagpur's Itwari bullion market. Eight to 10 bullion traders in the city have received threatening letters by post. The letters allegedly demand a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from each trader in the name of the alleged Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The sender has told the traders to keep Rs 10 lakh each ready.

The letters began arriving about five days ago. Two traders received them first, and similar letters then gradually reached other bullion traders. All have been asked for the same amount, Rs 10 lakh.

The letters carry a specific instruction. Once a trader has arranged the money, he is to put up a "Jai Shri Ram" poster in front of his shop. According to the letter, this will signal to the gang that the trader is ready to pay. The letters say where and how the money is to be delivered will be communicated later.

The threat is explicit. The letters say that if the money is not paid or a complaint is made to the police, the trader will be killed along with his family. The steady stream of letters has caused a stir in the bullion market. Some traders are even afraid to go to their shops.

The letters were posted from post offices at different times. The sender has not revealed an identity. Police believe this is the work of a local anti-social element. They suspect a local criminal may have used the Bishnoi gang's name to spread panic among traders and extort a large sum.

The timing is also delicate for traders. As Diwali nears, footfall and business in the bullion market begin to rise, and receiving extortion letters at such a time is a major worry for them. Cases of traders and ordinary people being threatened in the Bishnoi gang's name are increasing across the country. Fear of the gang has grown further after the recent firing at Tiger Shroff.

Given the seriousness of the matter, traders have taken their complaint to senior police officers through office-bearers of their association. The traders and association office-bearers have also spoken to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil about it. No case has been registered so far. Police are investigating discreetly.

With traders in Chief Minister Fadnavis's city openly receiving such threatening letters, questions are also being raised about law and order. Rajesh Rokde, president of the bullion association, has appealed to traders to contact the association if they receive any such letter. He said no one needs to panic.