Armed guards to protect onions, traders in Pimpri market

PUNE: The spiralling prices of onions have compelled traders in neighbouring Pimpri retail vegetable market to employ armed security guards following a theft of about 400kg of the commodity a few days back.

Lured by the spurt in onion prices, the thieves allegedly beat some traders before decamping with the onion sacks which were subsequently recovered partially, Vishnu Salve, President of Pimpri Market Committee, told today.

He said since the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation was not ensuring security of the market stocks and that of traders, the committee has now decided to hire armed security guards bearing the expenses.

Meanwhile, the Pimpri Police said three persons had been nabbed in connection with the onion theft.

When the onions were stolen last week, the price per kg had touched Rs 75, which slid to Rs 50 in the last two days, Salve added.