An increasing number of blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds, from Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo are finding their way to the city of Surat in India's western state of Gujarat. Four cases have been lodged of smuggled diamonds coming out from war-torn African nations. But despite the crackdown by Indian officials, some believe the smuggling of rough diamonds to Surat goes on.
It is estimated that 10 out of 11 of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished here. The continued smuggling from conflict zones is causing trouble because Surat’s traders are now coming under the scanner of global watchdogs.
The smuggled diamonds which manage to escape the police net are cut, polished, and then sold to respectable firms.
Officials of the Surat Diamond Association, an industry organization which has about 3,000 diamond establishments in Surat as its members, insist that the industry is scrupulously observing international norms and respects the ban on dealing with blood diamonds.
Close industry watchers say there might be a handful of diamond merchants who are dealing in conflict diamonds. These are mainly owners of smaller diamonds.
The illegal trade happens because some traders take advantage of the divide within KP-the Congo-based agency that monitors the movement of blood diamonds.
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