Powerloom Textile Weavers in Surat Demand Arms Licenses for Self-Protection 

Surat :  Powerloom weavers at the Anjani Industrial Estate in Amroli have rallied together, calling on the Gujarat Government to grant them arms licenses for self-protection in the wake of a harrowing incident.

Just days ago, a powerloom weaver was robbed and assaulted by unidentified miscreants armed with a knife inside his factory. In response to this alarming event, over 800 powerloom weavers from the Anjani Industrial Estate convened in a meeting to express their concerns and demands.

During the gathering, the weavers unanimously decided to keep their units closed for one day on Friday to protest the life-threatening attack on Anil Donda, a young powerloom weaver in the estate. Their primary demand is that the Surat police expedite their investigation, apprehend the culprits, and parade them within the industrial estate.

In a show of solidarity, more than 900 powerloom weaving units in the Anjani Industrial Estate will remain shut for 24 hours on Friday to voice their concerns and call for action. Additionally, the weavers have submitted a formal representation to the Gujarat Home Department, appealing for arms licenses to enhance their self-protection against potential intruders.

“The perpetrators responsible for the attack on Anil Donda should be paraded in public within the industrial estate and met with severe punishment,” the weavers emphasized.

Notably, sources reveal that a few months ago, a triple murder case shocked the Anjani Industrial Estate. While the assailants involved in the murder have been apprehended, powerloom weavers have demanded that they receive the harshest of penalties, including the death sentence.

The weavers contend that the Anjani Industrial Estate has become a hub for the illegal sale of drugs, narcotics, gambling, and liquor. Open sale of liquor and other illicit substances is prevalent on the estate’s streets. In response, the weavers have urged the immediate prohibition of Friday and Saturday markets within the estate to curb these nefarious activities.

Vijay Mangukiya, president of the Anjani Industrial Estate, emphasized the paramount importance of the weavers’ security. He stated, “The security of powerloom weavers is paramount for us. We have demanded arms licenses for the weavers for their self-protection. We also demand that the police should patrol the estate 24×7 to keep unscrupulous elements at bay.”