Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
The iconic line from Sholay delivered by Gabbar Singh, “कितना ईनाम रखे है रे सरकार हम पर” (How much bounty has the government put on me?)”, once served as a source of inspiration for criminals and instilled fear in the public. However, in Udham Singh Nagar, this infamous sentiment has lost its relevance in today’s context.
In an unusual move, the Udham Singh Nagar District Police has stirred a buzz by announcing a reward of just Rs 5 each for the capture of three absconding criminals. This symbolic gesture, instead of the usual higher bounties, is intended to highlight the diminished status of these notorious offenders in the eyes of the law and public.
The criminals in question, Jasveer Singh, a resident of Arjunpur in Rudrapur, Manmohan Singh, a resident of Netaji Nagar in Dineshpur, and Sahab Singh, a resident of Gajjipura in Rampur of Uttar Pradesh, have been on the run after a violent shootout in Dineshpur last week. Notably, on the night of October 12 in Jafarpur village on Kashipur road, a violent altercation erupted between two groups, resulting in gunfire exchanged from both sides. The incident, rooted in an old rivalry, saw around 40 rounds of bullets fired, leaving the area rattled. The confrontation, fueled by ongoing enmity, left eight individuals injured. Following the incident, police registered cases against 21 people including seven involved and have since arrested four named suspects. Since the attack, the other named accused have been evading capture.
On Monday evening, in a surprise announcement, the district police declared the meagre reward of Rs 5 each for their arrest. According to the District’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manikant Mishra, the reward reflects the true standing of the criminals. “These criminals think they can create fear, but their status is worth no more than Rs 5,” SSP Mishra said. “We are preparing to circulate posters of these offenders across the district. They can hide, but we will find them, no matter where.”
SSP Mishra further added, “We are sorting the list of all absconding criminals in the district, and similarly, petty bounties will be announced for each of them. Their terror is not worth the high rewards.”
This unique tactic aims to reduce the aura of terror often associated with criminals based on the size of the reward on their heads. Usually, the public equates higher rewards with more dangerous criminals, but US Nagar Police seeks to shatter this perception. By downplaying their status with a nominal reward, the police hope to mock the absconding individuals and lessen their feared image among the public.
Local residents have welcomed this bold move. Mukesh Sharma, a shopkeeper in Dineshpur, said, “This small reward sends a big message. It shows that the police no longer consider these criminals a real threat. It’s a relief for us.”
President of the Rudrapur city traders’ union, Sanjay Juneja said, “The police have made it clear that these men aren’t as dangerous as they want people to believe. It’s great to see the law treating them like the petty criminals they are.”
