BENGALURU: Did you know that there is a recruitment period for rowdy gangs too? According to veteran cops who have observed this, new gangs are recruited between August-September and November, starting with the Ganesha festival and ending with Rajyotsava festivities in the first week of November.
The key factor behind the recruitment during this period is extorting money from businessmen and residents on the pretext of collection for arrangements for festivities and celebrations.
According to BB Ashok Kumar, another officer who has observed this trend and retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police, says September till November is the time when most men get ‘recruited’ into rowdyism. “It starts with Ganesha festival and ends with Rajyotsava.
Earlier, the day was celebrated only on November 1 but now, the celebration goes on till December. If you notice, there will be lot of rival attacks following these months and most of the time, the gangs will be new,” he said.
Retired police officer BK Shivram informed City Express that it has become an unsaid norm that many youngsters form gangs in the name of setting up ‘Rajyotsava Pole’ in the city. “In an area, there will be two or three prominent gangs of young boys who would want to celebrate the day and hoist the Kannada flag. The clout of the gang is proved depending on who puts up the pole first. This argument, in the past, has led to many group clashes ending in gory murders,” he said.
The city police are now warning old time rowdy elements to stay away from creating any trouble in the areas.
The police have also planned a few rowdy parades and have asked rowdy sheeters to refrain from extortions in the name of Rajyotsava. “Many a times, when these young boys do not get to put the pole first in the area, hold a grudge against other gangs. It then leads to assault, attempt to murder and murder cases and also ‘make a name’ in the area,” said a senior police officer.
Members of Kannada Rakshana Vedike have requested youngsters to refrain from getting into group clashes during this year. “We all love our state and we are proud of our language. I request youngsters to celebrate the festival in peace. Do not get into any kind of violence or cause inconvenience to the public,” appealed Narayana Gowda of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.