Dacoits gun for weapons from Army’s armoury

Add to this ammunition for the same, according to the different weapon specifications, each to be delivered to remote jungles and ravines cut off from development and renderedinaccessible each during the three-month monsoon phase.

The cache is procured primarily through two variants, both of whom are connected via a “mediator”. Every dacoit gang is known to cultivate a mediator who shoulders the task of supplying rations and ammunition, for a percentage cut.

The dacoits arrive and lay camp on the fringes of villages, usually one that has a majority who belong to the same caste as the gang themselves. Here they are contacted by the mediator who slinks back the shopping list.The service comes at a phenomenal price. Most mediators are known to charge anything between “300 to 400 per cent on the price of the product he procures as service chagres” depending on the risk and ingenuity involved in the task.

His modus operandi is to tread toward the closest town where local criminals or licensed arms holders are contacted. “A lot of the residents in the town Bhind are known to rent out their weapons to the dacoits.” said Superintendent of Police (Bhind) Srinivasa Rao. And fora district that has over 25,000 licensed gun holders (Delhi has only 60,000-odd license holders), the market potential for the mediator is enormous. The locals also pitch in with their services. “It is matter of great pride for locals to be associated with the dacoits of the same caste. It offers them a kind of protection, especially when a land deal or family feud needs to be disposed briskly.” explained Manish, a serving sub-inspector.

The other and more sinister option would be to tap the government arms network by initiating pilferage in official arms depots.

Practically every family in the district has at least one member who serves in either the army, BSF, CISF or the police. Explained a local, “Being a part of the armed forces is the ultimate career option for the youth here. The notion of serving the nation is upmost. In case he fails to make it, he must make it he must make it to at least the paramilitary or the police. But it is the forces at any cost for them, ” explained Gajendra Dixit, aresident of the area.

The passion comes at a price. Every now and then there are the stray reports of assistance from these youth when news reaches them that a particular dacoit gang of the same caste is in peril. “Not everyone does this but there is always a traitor or two who are known to betray,” said the local inspector of police station Phoop, a village situated on the fringe of the ravines. Most of these weapons, the locals say, are those that are picked up during encounters in these conflict zones.

The theory was confirmed by the top officials. “There is no doubt about it that the level of sophistication in arms is very high. Just a few days back we received news that the Ramesh Kushwah gang operating here managed to receive three weapons from Jammu and Kashmir,” said the Inspector General of Police Chambal (Vijay Raman). He further elaborated that “there is tremendous pilferage from the official depots and other sources”.

The district officials gave a more toned-down account. “Thisdistrict has a culture of carrying weapons”, explained the Superintendent of Police (Bhind) Srinivasa Rao. “Every day, my office screens through at least a 100 applications for weapons”. He is, however, quick to add, “But the licences are issued by the District Magistrate. The role of the police is limited only to issuing recommendations.” The possible solutions lie in trying to stanch the issue of licenses and keep tabs on the influx of prohibited weapons infiltrated from the depots. The question is how ? “Here, owing to the dacoit menace, everybody requests for weapons citing personal protection,” the SP observed.

As for the prohibited weapons, the officials are opting for a tougher option. They have constituted a Crack Force especially to counter the dacoit menace in the Gwalior Chambal region. They have been equipped with the finest by way of AK-47 rifles, SLR’s, hand grenades, vary light pistols and night vision goggles and guerrilla uniform. The kind of equipment that may seem a trifle to heavyfor a jungle “criminal”. But then, nobody is taking chances.