: Director-General of Police JV Ramudu on Monday said the names of all those who are involved in red sanders smuggling had been registered, and the information would be made public. “However big they may be, they cannot escape the law,” he asserted.
Addressing a press conference at Madanapalle, Mr. Ramudu refuted criticism that the police were biased in filing cases against the “big people.” He said: “Each and every name, of individual or leader, had been thoroughly registered. Compared to 10 or 12 years ago, the red sanders smuggling activity is being dealt with sternly in the last two years,” he said.
“Earlier, the accused used to get bail in a few days after arrest. Now, the scene is totally different, with longer jail terms and attachment of properties,” he said.
The DGP maintained that due to the effort of as many as 17 departments in the State, including the police, task force, forest and other wings, the Acts dealing with red sanders cases were given more teeth with the sanction of the Central government, with additional strength to “attach the properties of the accused.”
The official said that as part of this, the first case of imprisonment for red sanders smuggling was registered in Kadapa district. The accused —Fayaz Shariff — was awarded three years’ imprisonment, followed by attachment of his properties.
Asked whether the State police had failed in dealing with the AgriGold case, the DGP said that the CID police had done a commendable job with fair investigation.
Tuni violence
Referring to the Tuni arson episode, Mr. Ramudu said the police did everything in their hands to protect the law and order. “When unlawful elements resort to vandalism deliberately, it cannot be termed failure on the part of the government,” he added.
Mr. Ramudu said that the police were now in the forefront in using technological know-how in policing such as apps and digital monitoring.
Thanks to technology, the police verification for passport issuance had been made more flexible, and the process was taking just a few days. He rejected lacuna or bias in registering the SC/ST atrocities cases, saying that “we will proceed as per the investigation”.
Earlier, Mr. Ramudu inaugurated the renovated police guest house at Horsely Hills near Madanapalle.
