Former dacoit thanks cops for helping him turn over a new leaf

Narrating his story to The Indian Express,Jwalasingh said,“I picked up gun at the age of 18. The police arrested me in a dacoity case at Khed-Manchar in which I was not involved. After being released from custody,I decided to become a dacoit. I contacted my aunt Pyarabai Gudadavat in Madhya Pradesh,whose four sons were associated with Phoolan Devi gang and asked for guns. She have me two 12 bore rifles and also trained me in shooting. Then I formed my gang,” he said.

Jwalasingh said later he escaped from Pune with his wife,child and 13 associates,“I walked 2,600 kms from Pune to Orissa. We looted people at gun point for food and money. About 45 crimes were registered against me. Pune rural police team led by the then superintendent Suresh Khopde and Netaji Shinde launched a massive search for me,” he said.

The police then sent messages to Jwalasingh to surrender,assuring him that they would rehabilitate him and his family. “Initially,I did not respond. But when my parents urged,I surrendered. I decided to work for the development of my tribe after I was released from jail after four and a half years,” he said. “I want the youths from my tribe to stay away from crime. My family and I are now respected persons in society. And the credit goes to police,” he said.

At a special function today Jwalasingh felicitated police officers including Khopde,who is now special inspector general at state CID,in the presence of about 700 people from Bhatu Kanjar Bhat tribe.

Khopde said,“ I am happy that he is now living a respectful life.”