Rebel’s killing marks end of Taliban gang

By Mateen Hafeez/TNN

Mumbai: With the death of robber Aslam Meraj Shaikh (24), killed in an encounter near Lotus Junction at Juhu-Vile Parle Development Scheme on February 8, the reign of the Taliban gang is all but over. Shaikh, who came to Mumbai in 2000 to work in a zari unit, was the last active member of the gang.

A Std IV dropout from Pratapgarh in UP, Shaikh was among several others who was brought to work in zari units by one Shakeel Ahmed alias Maulana (so called because of his traditional beard), said sources. Police said that Maulana had promised them jobs in Mumbai and told the job-seekers that they could earn between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000. Shaikh, who lived in a slum in Antop Hill on a rent of Rs 200 per month, realised only after a year that Maulana was the head of a gang of robbers known as the Taliban gang.

Maulana told the unemployed Shaikh that he could join his gang and earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month depending upon the robberies committed. Shaikh agreed and soon became an active member thanks to his bike-riding skills. However, he was a rebel who told Maulana that he would not grow a beard. Maulana had made it compulsory for every member to grow a beard which became the identity of the Taliban gang.

“The gang had terrorised wine shop owners during 2001-’02. Maulana would pay between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 to his subordinates,’’ an officer said.

Shaikh and his associate Mohammed Haneef were caught by passersby in D N Nagar in 2002 while robbing a wine shop and handed over to the police. Later, they confessed their involvement in 10-12 wine shop robberies across the city. Shaikh was in the custody of D N Nagar police for 14 days after which he was taken into custody by the Byculla, Nagpada, Oshiwara and the Tilak Nagar police. Meanwhile, all the gang members were caught and sent to Arthur Road jail. In 2004, the entire gang was released on personal bonds of Rs 1,000 each. Soon after they were released, the gang’s first target was a wholesale dealers’ shop in Mulund. They threatened over 40 shop employees at gun point and decamped with Rs 60,000.

In September 2004, Maulana was gunned down in an encounter near Ballard Pier Court where he had come to observe a petrol pump which the police claimed was to be robbed by the gang.

Haneef and Alam were arrested and booked under MCOCA and convicted for seven years rigorous imprisonment last year. When Shaikh came to know about the conviction, he disappeared. But he returned to the city in 2006 and was killed in an encounter.

The Times of India, February 21, 2006