BHUBANESWAR: On Monday, Sushil Dhal Samanta, while being shifted from Cuttack Circle Jail at Choudwar, made a brusque remark to the media: “Cuttack is not safe anymore. Go, save it.”
The statement, sure, was loaded. As the Commissionerate Police laps up the accolades for busting the dreaded Dhal Samanta gang and its expansive network, its work is far from over. For, the fall of the gangster siblings does not necessarily secure Cuttack where they flourished and controlled the crime syndicate. The Twin City Police would have its task cut out to take on the Tito gang which was in direct conflict with the gangster brothers and would now be eyeing the opportunity to grab the space that the latter occupied.
The crime syndicates operate in such an eco-system that one group always gains at the cost of the rival’s muscle and money power. With both Sushant and Sushil behind the bars, it may be a matter of time before the Tito gang ups its ante.
Sources in the State Police say that Dhal Samanta gang not only controlled the illegal business in Cuttack but also contained Tito gang - which mainly operates out of Kendrapara - by gaining over its members. Since tender fixing is the pie every gang wants a share from, the Tito group will have an upper hand this time as their rival gangster Hyder is cooling his heels behind the bars. On the other hand, Hyder, who controls his gang from behind the bars. would also like a cut in the pie making Cuttack their ring to establish supremacy, police sources apprehend.
“Tito is maintaining a low profile but has his gang members embedded in certain pockets of Cuttack where it is easy for them to hide and operate. They keep shuttling between Cuttack and Kendrapara after committing crimes. Given the sensitive demographic profile of the Millennium City, they would be itching to exploit this opportunity,” a senior police officer said.
At present though, the gangs are lying low after the action against the Dhal Samanta group. With the financial year coming to a close and a flurry of tenders being finalised, the participants’ number has jumped significantly as there is a sense of assuredness among the contractors. This may not last long. “We are aware of the situation and will keep a close watch on the movement of such elements,” Police Commissioner YB Khurania said. Meanwhile, Cuttack Municipal Corporation Corporator Ranjita Biswal was grilled by the Cuttack Police for her alleged links with the Dhal Samanta brothers on Monday.