Surat, July 8 – Tensions ran high in the Sachin area of Surat today as over 2,000 shops remained voluntarily closed in protest against the rising law and order issues that have long plagued the locality. The spontaneous shutdown by local traders came in response to a horrifying incident of armed robbery and murder at a jewelry showroom on Monday, leaving the business community in shock and fear.
The incident occurred at Shrinathji Jewelers in the Sachin police station area, where assailants stormed into the store and shot owner Ashish Rajpara. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The brutal killing, coupled with a robbery, has heightened the sense of insecurity among traders and residents, who have already been coping with recurring threats and assaults from anti-social elements in the area.
As per report, traders in the locality closed their establishments without any formal call for a bandh, expressing their anguish and concern over deteriorating safety conditions. Many jewellers in the region voiced deep worry about their own security, pointing out that the violence has escalated beyond mere threats and thefts to deadly attacks.
The Sachin area has witnessed a series of violent crimes over the years. Incidents such as the attempted robbery at Gujarat Gramin Bank, where culprits brandished a gun-shaped lighter, and a similar robbery attempt near the local police station have exposed glaring security lapses. A year ago, masked men looted over ₹4 lakh from a Maharashtra Bank branch in Vaanjh village, also under Sachin police limits.
Local traders, while speaking to reporters, expressed frustration over the rising crime. One trader noted, "We never imagined that such violence could hit our locality. Shootings and robberies are terrifying. The police must improve patrolling in this area. Continuous monitoring is essential for ensuring our safety."
Another trader echoed the same sentiment, stating, "Law and order have clearly deteriorated in Sachin. The incident has caused panic. After the news spread yesterday, a wave of anger surged among the business community. Today’s shutdown is our collective response. We expect the police and administration to ensure our safety and restore order."
The traders demanded round-the-clock vigilance and more robust police presence to deter criminal activity and help them conduct business without fear.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Neerav Gohil confirmed that two of the accused had arrived in Surat from Bihar just two days before the crime. He further stated that information about three other suspects had been obtained and that separate teams from the Crime Branch and local police stations were actively working in the field to apprehend them.
ACP Gohil acknowledged the shock caused by the incident and added that the shutdown was a spontaneous act by grieving traders. He assured that efforts are underway to track down the culprits and reinforce security in the area.
