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Journalism of Courage
SURAT, May 23: The daylight murder of anti-social Sanjay Dhanji Makwana alias Sanjay Manjra on Friday afternoon is yet another pointer to the number of illegal video-parlours in the city. These parlours, several of which allegedly screen blue films, have been flourishing despite a crackdown by the police in the past few months, and the Bajrang Dal, which has its base in the area, declaring war against them.
A large number of the parlours are in Varachha Road and its adjoining areas, which have a sizable migrant population of workers in the diamond and textile businesses.
The city Bajrang Dal, however, has not reacted very sharply. 8220;Yes, we had embarked on a sustained drive but have no plans for the moment,8221; city Bajrang Dal office-bearer Babubhai Sawaliya said. While agreeing a number of blue-film theatres and parlours were still operational 8212; the Bajrang Dal had broken down a couple of dubious video parlours in Varachha last year 8212; Sawaliya accused the police of 8220;not being vigilant enough8221;.
According to police sources, Makwana had a police record and had been arrested at least thrice earlier for rioting, theft and the like. While police contend that his video-parlour had been closed for six months now, others said that he had formed a gang which was active in offences like pick-pocketing, vehicle-lifting and the like.
Police sources also said that almost all the gang members, which included the accused and his murderers, met regularly either at a video parlour being run at Harekrishna Complex where Makwana was murdered or at Raj Video Theatre exactly opposite it. Police investigations have revealed that an argument between Makwana and the others could have led to his murder.
While the police have registered a case of murder and are investigating further, there have been very few instances of the police booking people for running video-parlours or theatres that screen blue films. Only a couple of such cases have been registered this year by the police.
