Police get tough with factionists

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, SEPT. 20. A police outpost, headed by the faction zone inspector, Mr. Sambasiva Rao, has been put up at the work site of Srisailam Right Branch Canal (SRBC), near Owk, following complaints of extortion of money from contractors by factionists. The Superintendent of Police, Mr. P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, said the unit was authorised to deal with any situation. Stringent action would be taken against the gangs trying to disrupt the civil works, he said.

Meanwhile, the police threw open a road to private traffic in Owk which had been restricted to general traffic because of the location of the house of an MLA on the lane. Police considered it violation of people's right. Police announced by way of tom-tom that rice could be sold to the trader of their choice, and appealed to the people to lodge a complaint if anybody forced them to sell the produce to only a particular buyer.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-general of Police, Mr. K.S.N. Murthy, told The Hindu that anybody indulging faction-related offences like extortion of money, intimidation of contractors, common men and possessing weapons would be externed. The provisions of the law would be invoked even against the public representatives, if found guilty.

Mr. Murthy said steps had been initiated to choke the flow of income to factionists from illegal mining, extortion and sale of illicit arrack. All departments such as Mining, Excise, Forest, Police and Revenue were being coordinated for concerted efforts. He said choking of income flow would give a serious blow to the gangs which require huge amounts to maintain private armies. He said rowdy-sheets were updated and all the information on the gangs had been collected.

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Section  : Southern States
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