Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111660810500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Checking cancer of organised crime Law and Order

Failure to renew APCOCA has only acted as a shot in the arm for organised gangs, writes Marri Ramu

Hyderabad: Controlling crimes being committed by organised gangs has always been a Herculean task for the law-enforcing agencies in the absence of special laws.

Though many argue that even the gravest offence could be effectively tackled within the framework of the existing laws, police officials persistently vouched for special Acts. Brushing aside objections from some quarters, the State government brought in the Andhra Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act to deal with organised criminal gangs few years ago.

For some inexplicable reason, the government did not extend the period of the Act and it eventually lapsed. But the activities of the organised criminal gangs were on the rise, thanks to the real estate boom. Not renewing the APCOCA only acted as a shot-in-the arm for them.

Escape routes

Why is it difficult to control organised gangs, compared to other offenders? If a person burgles a house, further commission of such offences can be checked by arresting him. It is not so in the case of organised gangs because they hire offenders, arrange bail by engaging lawyers in case of arrest, use substitutes to continue the illegal operations, threaten the complainants and ensure that no person deposes evidence against them.

From hatching and to execution of a crime - be it land-grabbing, extortions or kidnaps for ransom - every step is executed with precision.

The main operatives of the gangs never come into the picture. Members of the gang caught by the police don’t reveal information because the ‘dons’ even look after their family members by paying money when they are in jail.

Abbas case

Police officials arguing for special laws cite the case of Sayyed Abbas, alleged associate of mafia don Chota Shakeel, arrested on Friday.

Under the special Act, he would not have secured bail for at least three months. “This would help us ensure no other person is targeted by the gang during that period and properly probe the case,” the police contend.

Such stringent provisions, naturally, would deter the gangs from indulging in any illegal activity.