Andhra Pradesh will take the lead in conducting an inter-State border meeting with Telangana, Odisha and Chattisgarh to evolve appropriate strategies with mutual cooperation to tackle extremists, A.P. Director-General of Police J.V. Ramudu said on Friday.
“The police machinery has stepped up vigil against movement of terrorists and to apprehend SIMI terrorists in Nellore district. As most Maoist leaders were Telugu-speaking, there was scope for their dormant presence in the State,” he said. International red sanders smuggler Kollam Gangi Reddy, against whom a red corner notice was issued, would be nabbed soon, he said.
The Central Government had sanctioned a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion in Andhra Pradesh, he told at a media conference after addressing a review meeting with police officials in Kadapa District Police Office. While Andhra Pradesh has a strong set-up to curb extremism, Odisha and Chattisgarh were witnessing spurt in naxal activity, Mr. Ramudu said.
A Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force, headed by the DGP, was constituted with its headquarters at Tirupati. It would coordinate with the DGPs and Principal Chief Conservators of Forests of other States.
Sandalwood smugglers who have expertise in felling and transportation of trees have taken to red sanders smuggling and attacking the police and forest officials leading to firing at 20 places in the State so far, Mr. Ramudu said. Red sanders was widely present in Rayalaseema, but export quality was abundant in Kadapa district, he said.
Following bifurcation, the State has adequate police force and vehicles, but infrastructure was lacking, the DGP said. The police were striving to upgrade themselves with the latest technologies. More funds were needed as police department gets only 2.85 per cent of the budget, he said.
The police, forest and law departments forwarded concrete proposals to give more teeth to the Forest Act to facilitate booking of non-bailable cases, stringent punishment, attachment of properties of red sanders smugglers and track vehicles carrying contraband with GPS, he said.
He said those behind the fire accidents in and around the proposed capital would be brought to book. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for police welfare. Insurance facility was provided to all the police personnel and home guards.
Inspector-General of Police, Rayalaseema, V.V. Gopalakrishna, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Anantapur range, B. Balakrishna, who is in charge of Kurnool range, and Kadapa Superintendent of Police Navin Gulati, Additional SP P.V.G. Vijaya Kumar and DSPs participated in the meeting.
