Nagpur: 8-10 Itwari bullion traders get Rs 10 lakh extortion letters in Bishnoi gang's name

Extortion demands have been made in the name of the alleged Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Nagpur's Itwari bullion market. Over the past five days, 8 to 10 bullion traders have received threatening letters by post. Each letter demands Rs 10 lakh from the trader.

According to the information available, the sender has claimed to be linked to the Bishnoi gang. The letters say that if the money is not paid, or if the police are told, the trader and his entire family will be killed. The incident has caused panic in the bullion market.

The letters make one more demand. To signal that they agree to pay, traders have been asked to write a particular slogan in front of their shops. After receiving the threats, the traders informed senior police officers.

The state government has also taken note. Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar said the government had taken cognisance of the threatening letters. The police have been directed to investigate immediately and trace the accused. A case has been registered at Tehsil police station in this connection.

On Monday, the bullion association held an important meeting in the Itwari area, attended by bullion traders and senior police officers. The traders voiced concern about their safety and demanded additional police deployment in the market. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madne assured them of security. In view of Diwali, they were assured that the entire bullion area would be kept under watch everywhere and that additional security arrangements would be made.

The investigation has also turned up an important lead. About 15 days ago, a bullion trader in Pratap Nagar received a similar threatening letter in a sweet box. The handwriting on that letter is said to resemble that of the letters received by the Itwari traders.

For this reason, it is suspected that one person is sending the letters from different post offices. The police are now examining other aspects, including the handwriting on the letters and the way they were sent.