Plot to kill policemen busted

SURAT, May 20: The city police claim to have busted a plot by a gang to eliminate Detection of Crime Branch DCB police inspector M G Ka...

SURAT, May 20: The city police claim to have busted a plot by a gang to eliminate Detection of Crime Branch DCB police inspector M G Kaneriya and sub-inspector R H Hadiya, who had gunned down notorious gangster Farooq Munshi in an encounter8217; two months ago.

According to the police, Mohammed Shabbir Shaikh, a resident of Khanderaopura, Nanpura and Mehfuz Shahbuddin Kalaam of Rudarpura and originally a resident of Jehanabad in Bihar 8212; who were arrested on May 17 by DCB sub-inspector J R Patel 8212; had confessed to have been asked to eliminate Kaneriya and Hadiya.

Providing information, the DCB said that the two arrested had relations with Munshi for almost 10 years now. They had, the police said, instigated Munshi against Hindu anti-socials and assisted him in various crimes. According to the DCB statement, Mohammed Shabbir had been nabbed earlier with a revolver and was later released on bail, while not much was still known about Mehfuz, who had recently come to the city.

The police further said that the two had become active immediately after Munshi8217;s killing and had begun to instigate Muslim anti-socials. They reportedly told them that if they wanted to avenge Munshi8217;s murder8217;, they should raise money, but were caught in the meantime.

Both were produced before a magistrate, who agreed for a remand until Friday. The release stated that both were being interrogated to find out where the two had phoned in the past few days, whom they had met and the possibility of involvement of others in the conspiracy.

It may be noted that Munshi was shot dead outside a dargah on the Surat Dumas Road by the two DCB policemen, a few hours before he was arrested from Galemandi area during the early hours of March 17. Munshi, who confessed to the police that he had hid a Smith and Wesson revolver outside the dargah, was escorted to the spot at around 6.45 am, where he attempted to shoot the officials, who fired back, killing him instantly.

Munshi had eight cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and escaping from police custody against him. He shot to fame after gunning down Baalak, Nikam and Devlaa 8212; all majority community anti-socials 8212; during the post demolition riots in the city, and soon enjoyed a reputation as saviour of the minority community.