Security tightened for VVIPs

By K. Srinivas Reddy

HYDERABAD, OCT. 16. Security agencies in the State went on a high state of alert following the arrest of a Mumbai underworld gangster in Hyderabad and also because of an alert issued by the intelligence agencies that action teams of the People's War Group (PWG) were on the move to hit a ``big target.''

Sources disclosed that the arrested gangster belongs to the Chota Shakil gang and had come to Hyderabad on a specific job. A crack commando team detailed to nab the gangster reportedly met with resistance at the time of arrest and he was overpowered last night at the airport.

It was suspected that the underworld man, who was in possession of two pistols, had come to Hyderabad for extorting money from Bollywood actors who have been frequently visiting Hyderabad to participate in shootings. He was also learnt to have been making threat calls to film personalities in Mumbai. The arrest assumes significance in view of the gunning down of four members of the Dawood Ibrahim gang in Mumbai who allegedly hatched a plan to kill film star Aamir Khan and other film personalities on Saturday last. The sources maintained that the Mumbai police had been contacted and inputs from them were being awaited.

Meanwhile, the State police further beefed up security for VVIPs following an alert issued by the Intelligence department about the possibility of a strike by action teams of the PWG. It is believed that the PWG action teams which had already been ``hitting'' single targets in North Telangana districts could aim for a spectacular action before they observe the first anniversary of formation of the People's Guerrilla Army on December 2.

Officers believe that the PWG action teams would be determined to carry out some strike since December 2 also happens to be the second anniversary of the killing of three PWG central committee members in the Koyurru forest area in 1999. All the IPS officers who are on the hit list have been sounded about the possible strike. All targets have been asked to restrict their movements and avoid patterns in their movements.

The Intelligence department believes that Takallapally Vasudeva Rao, better known as Asanna in PWG circles, is heading an action team was moving in the twin cities. ``They could target either a politician or a police officer,'' is the strong belief of the police officers in the State capital.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, too sounded an alarm to his ministerial colleagues on the possibility of a PWG attack. He had advised some ministers to move to the Minister's residential complex in Banjara Hills.

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Section  : Southern States
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