Crime mars Surat's diamond trade

BLOOD DIAMOND: The diamond industry is demanding that the police provide more protection to the merchants.

found at www.ibnlive.com Wednesday, January 17, 2007 

Surat: A series of armed robberies and kidnappings targeting Surat’s diamond industry has sent the city’s merchants and police in a tizzy.

On Monday morning, several armed men robbed the bungalow of diamond merchant Ashok Savani in Surat and even before he could react, the robbers had killed the watchman, ransacked the house and fled.

Earlier this month, seven-year-old Naya Karsoliya, son of a diamond designer, was kidnapped and later killed.

Panic has set in among diamond merchants and they feel that they have become a soft target.

"This is a very dangerous trend. The diamond industry is a soft target. We think the police is not active as it should be,” complains gems manufacturer and exporter, Rohit Mehta.

There has been an increase in crimes like armed robbery, murder and kidnappings in Surat since 2004. The diamond industry is now demanding that the police must provide more protection.

"We have been making representations to increase police personnel in Surat city. If this trend continues, new diamond industries will not come into Surat and the existing units will move away,” President, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pravin Nanavati says.

However, the police say things are under control.

"The police is doing its job. Patrolling has been intensified but people also should co-operate with the police,” Additional Commissioner of Police, Range II, V M Pargi says.

The state government continues to woo foreign investors but increasing crime in Surat, which is the heart of a thriving diamond-polishing industry, is sending out the wrong message.

(With inputs from Kinnari Patel in Surat)

Criminals prowl Surat diamond industry

IN ACTION: Uncut diamonds are brought in and polished ones are despatched to Mumbai.

 

Surat: The crime-hit diamond industry has witnessed the killing of 35-year-old diamond trader Dayal Bhai Makhwana in the Katargam area of Surat in Gujarat by some unidentified people.

Surat, the heart of India's diamond polishing industry, is now the scene of an increasing number of kidnappings and murders. Crime in the city has increased in the past two years and those in the diamond industry are prime targets.

Surprisingly, the reason for this could be attributed to the industry itself where buying and selling of diamonds are done without any paper work in areas like Mahidharpura, Varachha and Kapodara.

"Yes, people resort to these methods to save taxes and yes, there is also black money involved. But we must understand that we end up being soft targets and cannot claim for anything in cases of armed robberies," said Kirtibhai Shah, a diamond trader.

Uncut diamonds are brought in and polished ones are despatched to Mumbai on general class railway coaches without adequate security.

The courier boys are easy targets of robberies. Police also say, diamond merchants do not verify the background of their employees thoroughly before hiring them.

"Factory owners often hire workers without verifying their credentials. Investigations show that in many cases of armed robberies in the industry, those who work together are involved," said Commissioner of Police, Surat City R M S Brar.

Diamond merchants are still blaming the police for not providing enough security. But the need of the hour now is to ensure more modern and secure methods of trading and operations are put into place.

Surat black market Diamonds' sparkle still has heavy price

SURAT, INDIA - Such is its standing in the international diamond industry, India is expected to be chosen by the United Nations to take over the Kimberley Process - an initiative to stop the trade in African blood diamonds - from the European Union.