Surat’s Diamond Industry Recession Deepens: Jobless Worker Arrested for Selling Pistol

Surat : Surat, the global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, is facing its worst economic downturn in decades. As the industry struggles with plummeting demand, thousands of diamond workers have lost their jobs, and financial hardships have intensified. In a shocking incident reflecting the desperation caused by the crisis, an unemployed diamond worker was caught selling a pistol in Surat’s Varachha area.

Varachha police arrested 21-year-old Laljibhai alias Lalo Chitharbhai Parmar, originally from Gir Somnath, for illegally possessing and attempting to sell a pistol worth ₹10,000 along with three live cartridges. He was apprehended near Ashwani Kumar Road Full Market Bridge based on a tip-off.

During interrogation, Parmar revealed that he had been a jeweler but had lost his job due to the slowdown in the diamond industry. With no source of income, he decided to sell the weapon he had acquired from Uttar Pradesh seven months ago.

The economic crisis in Surat’s diamond sector has pushed many workers into extreme distress. Over the past year, 52 diamond artisans have reportedly committed suicide due to financial difficulties. With orders drying up and wages slashed by up to 50%, workers who once earned stable incomes are now struggling to survive.

Industry leaders have expressed deep concerns over the worsening situation, urging the Gujarat government to intervene with relief measures. Trade unions have demanded financial assistance and job security for diamond artisans, fearing that prolonged economic instability could lead to further suicides and an increase in illegal activities.