Now, Aadhar mandatory to buy ‘deadly’ farm tool

Several incidents of so-called ‘Koyta gangs’ bullying people by brandishing billhooks have been reported in recent times

First India Bureau

Pune: In the wake of a spurt in incidents of miscreants, including minors, attacking and terrorizing people with koytas, or billhooks, city police have asked sellers to take down Aadhaar card details of those buying these farm tools, an official said on Thursday.

The decision to track buyers comes after several incidents were reported in recent days, which involved members of the so-called ‘Koyta gangs’ bullying people by brandishing billhooks, especially in areas located on the outskirts of Pune city.

“We have asked the zonal DCPs to instruct the retail sellers of agriculture tools in their regions to ensure they record the credentials of the buyers of koytas at the time of purchase,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amol Zende. The sellers of farm equipment have been instructed to ensure that juveniles do not purchase koytas, he said. “They should also ensure that the tools are being sold for agriculture and other valid purposes only,” Zende added.

According to him, the police have cracked down on several antisocial elements who

We have asked the zonal DCPs to instruct the retail sellers of agriculture tools in their regions to ensure they record the credentials of the buyers of koytas at the time of purchase. They should also ensure that the tools are being sold for agriculture and other valid purposes only.

—Amol Zende, DCP (Crime)

were found using billhooks to terrorise people. Smartana Patil, DCP (Zone II), said a notice has been issued to the retail sellers of koytas, instructing them to record the details, like

Minor among 4 held for armed robbery

Thane (PTI): Police have arrested three men and a 17-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint near Kharegaon toll booth on the Mumbai-Nashik highway in Thane district on January 16, an official said on Thursday.

“The accused came in a car and waylaid the victim, who was going on a motorcycle on the highway. Threatening him at gunpoint, the robbers snatched away his bag containing Rs2.50 lakh and three mobile phones. A case was reg-