Following are two instances of businessmen who remained safe despite being threatened by ganglord Abu Salem, from the Anis Ibrahim syndicate, and, Dilip Kulkarni alias D K, a top lieutenant of the Arun Gawli gang.

Roshan Khan, a businessman from the north-western suburbsI started getting threatening calls in April this year. The calls from someone who claimed to be D.K. were received by my staff. After two calls, which were received by my office assistant, they asked for Michael, my manager. The caller also seemed to be aware of my name and my office set-up as he demanded to speak to the person next in command. He said, `do you know what happened at Opera House today' -- it was the day when a businessman was shot dead in the city. Even I could meet the same fate, he warned. The caller left a mobile number,leaving instructions that I should speak to him.

It was late in the night, but I immediately went to the anti-extortion cell (North-west region) at Carter Road, Bandra, and met Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Choubal. Choubal assured complete support and started tapping all my phones. The police tried to trace the caller but they realised that the caller was using a mobile phone which was used only when he is on a move. As far as I know the caller could not be traced.

The caller repeatedly threatened me and my staff saying that they will be killed if his message was not conveyed to me. The police offered protection but I declined. It was the worst time of my life. I was afraid. But I must compliment the police for the way they handled the entire situation. They did their best. Finally, on June 12, I was informed that I won't receive any threatening calls any more. And the calls did stop. I was again a free man, thanks to the police.

Bhavesh Chaturvedi, a merchant from South Mumbai: InOctober, I received a call: "Dubai se Abu Salem bol raha hun. Bees Lakh rupaiye mere aadmi ko de dena". The caller kept calling back, saying that if I failed to pay up I'll be killed. I was also warned not to go to the police. I immediately rushed to the crime branch and lodged a complaint with police inspector Nisar Shaikh who was extremely helpful.

My phones were placed under tap and I was briefed by the police as to how to deal with the caller on the phone. During the course of negotiation, the caller came down to Rs 10 lakh and then to Rs 5 lakh. Once even three men barged into my office and threatened me with dire consequences.

Finally, I was called opposite Eros cinema with Rs 2 lakh and asked to stand near a red coloured Maruti van. I filled papers in my bag and the police laid a trap for them. But no one turned up.

That night we received a call from the same Abu Salem ka aadmi and the police managed to trace him to Jogeshwari and arrested three of them. I must say that the cops wereso helpful that even when we called them at 2 a.m. they responded immediately.

SHZ

These businessmen remained unharmed and lived to tell their story. There were several others who received the calls but did not bother to approach the police. They had to keep paying the money or eventually by their life.