Jammu Shootout Again

Within a few weeks after the senior BJP leader Chander Mohan Sharma’s son Kanav Sharma was shot by a PDD employee outside the power house in the busy New Plot area of Jammu city with a revolver; another shootout took place on 21st January in the busy Jewel Chowk area. In this shootout, the target was Sumit Jandyal. The gangster was leading the Gatru gang. He was out on bail. He was killed on the spot though he was rushed to the hospital but his life could not be saved. In a social media post, the Khauf Gang has claimed responsibility for his killing. In this post they have claimed this to be revenge killing. These two incidents within a span of a few months make it clear that use of weapons to indulge in such acts with impunity is a cause of concern. In the first case the issue was the argument over the parking of a vehicle in which the son of a BJP leader was shot. Fortunately, his life was saved. But what has raised eyebrows is that Kanav Sharma was shot by a government employee who possessed a weapon. It raises many questions and the fundamental being that how was he allowed to use the weapon while being a government servant. Now the Jewel Chowk shootout in which the gangster Sumit Jandyal was killed by a rival gang poses a more serious question. His killing has taken place just a few hundred metres away from the M.A. Stadium, which is the venue for the Republic Day celebration on the 26th January. And the day is not too far. As per the media reports there is no proper installation of the CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the suspicious movements in the Jewel Chowk area. J & K Police has tried to retrieve the recordings of the cameras installed by the shopkeepers in the area where the incident took place. But no substantial clue has been derived. What is more alarming is that this incident has taken place just a few metres away from the Nawabad Police Station. The gangsters who were riding on two wheelers as per the eye witnesses present on the spot have taken the advantage of the busy traffic movement in the area. As it is very difficult for a person travelling from Talab Tiloo towards Jewel Chowk to make a U turn. As was the case with Sumit Jandyal, who could not turn back his vehicle to save his life. Imagine the fall out if the shoot-out would have taken place from both sides as the gangster was also in possession of the weapon. One thing is clear that there is a law and order problem that has started the visibility of the gang war in Jammu. One is reminded of the days in 1980’s and 1990’s when various criminal gangs operated in the Jammu city and indulged in gang wars. But over the years there has been substantial decline in the criminal acts as most of the notorious gangsters were eliminated by the Police and people heaved a sigh of relief. But these two incidents have created many apprehensions among the common masses. Jammu and Kashmir Police needs to widen its net and use its intelligence network to bring these criminals to the book. So that the atmosphere of fear that has been generated among the masses is ended and law and order is maintained.