NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Surat tense following bootlegger's death

Vikram Vakil in Surat

The death of Ganesh Rana in judicial custody is turning into a major battle between the public and police, just as Surat is recovering from the shocking death of eight youngsters in police firing on the day of the Ganesh immersion.

Rana, a small-time bootlegger, was caught with 10 bottles of countrymade liquor. According to his wife Dakshaben, "The police demanded a bribe of Rs 500 to release him."

She claimed that as she did not have the money, Ganesh was remanded to judicial custody. Ganesh's family belongs to the Rana community of South Gujarat, which is traditionally involved in the liquor business. The community is concentrated in Golvad, Surat.

When news of Rana's death came in, it provoked the residents of Golvad.

Surat police chief Kuldeep Sharma deputed State Reserve Police personnel to the area. But they failed to control the mob. The police had to then resort to a cane charge.

Sharma told rediff.com, "Some residents consider themselves above the law. All these years, liquor was freely available in their area. Last year, with the help of 200 policemen, I attacked the illicit liquor dens. This is in revenge for those raids."

Sharma added, "Ganesh died in judicial custody. He was an alcoholic and was demanding cold drinks and alcohol even in jail."

Kashiram Rana, who is Surat parliamentarian and a minister of state at the Centre, refuted Sharma's claims.

Rana told rediff.com, "The tense situation is a result of police high-handedness. Police atrocities have increased in Surat. Sharma thinks he is the sarkar."

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report