Whiff of extortion in Kalyan

MUMBAI, June 6: After the apparent lull in extortion threats in Kalyan-Dombivli since October last year, the Suresh Manchekar gang has st...

MUMBAI, June 6: After the apparent lull in extortion threats in Kalyan-Dombivli since October last year, the Suresh Manchekar gang has struck again with five youth opening fire at a builder from Thakurwadi at Dombivli W, today.

The builder, Kailash Shantaram Thakur 32, who is recuperating in hospital, was threatened at a construction site and then shot in his left palm as a warning.Police now admit they have received at least five complaints 8211; from three builders, a hotelier and an industrialist 8211; since January, only three months after the Manchekar gang had struck terror among traders and doctors in the township.

The spate of extortion threats had also led to an exodus among builders, hoteliers and doctors late last year. Police sources say the recent threats are believed to have been issued by persons claiming to be members of both the Manchekar and Chhota Rajan gangs and have all been made over the phone.

The callers demanded sums ranging between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. Police, who are tappingthe phones of the complainants, have recommended that they purchase caller identification units.In today8217;s incident, five youth pulled up at Vishweshwar Darshan Society and asked Thakur who the builder was. 8220;When I identified myself, they said they had come from Suresh Manchekar and asked me to wait for his call in the evening today,8221; he told Express Newsline.

When Thakur asked them whether they were joking, one of them pulled out a country-made pistol and asked him 8220;not to act smart8221;. Thakur says he still tired to persuade the youth to go away. 8220;I have never seen firearms before and I thought this must be some local gang trying to frighten me with a toy pistol when one of them fired at my left palm,8221; recalls Thakur, who is now concerned for his family8217;s safety.Vishnu Nagar police have registered an offence under Sections 147, 148, 149, and 307 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 25 1 of the Arms Act.

Sub-Inspector R D Shinde is investigating the case.Following the murder of Dr DeepakShetty by the Manchekar gang in his own consulting room at Shreedevi Hospital in Kalyan on October 8, 1998, the entire area from Dombivli to Badlapur witnessed a period of unrest due to extortion phobia.

Many builders, hoteliers and doctors shut shop fearing threatening phone calls and extortion threats. When the Thane commissionerate Zone III Deputy Commissioner of Police Suresh Ahire was asked whether the Manchekar gang is trying to stage a comeback, told Express Newsline: 8220;It is too premature to say anything. Besides, this may be the handiwork of some local gang trying to use the Manchekar name to strike terror so that people pay up.8221;