Director-General of Police (DGP) N. Sambasiva Rao has said the CPI (Maoists)’ Under Ground (UG) cadre has come down to all-time low in Andhra Pradesh, which was once a stronghold for the Naxalite movement.
“The Left Wing Extremism (LWE) ideology is losing relevance and the Andhra Pradesh Police have succeeded in controlling naxalite activities in the State,” the DGP claimed in the year-ender press conference here on Saturday.
According to Mr. Rao, 105 underground cadre extremists were operating in the State, of whom 45 are from Andhra Pradesh and 60 from outside. As many as 14 naxal-related incidents had been reported in the State this year as against 25 in 2015.
“Naxalite movements are continuing in Visakhapatnam Rural, East Godavari and Vizianagaram districts. But in Visakhapatnam Rural district, extremist activities were controlled well,” Mr. Rao said appreciating the police for taking initiatives such as skill development programmes, sports and other activities.
“During our tenure as Superintendents of Police (SPs) in the State, naxal movement used to be very high and many police personnel lost their lives in the fight against then People’s War Group (PWG). Due to the efforts of the government, LWE has been controlled and tribal youth are not getting attracted towards naxalism,” the DGP recalled.
Drop in crime rate
As regards other crime, there was a decline in crime in State, and about 94,355 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh.
However, economic offences and crime against women were on the rise in 2016, the State police chief said.
In all, 179 dowry deaths, 481 abetment to suicide, 299 women murders and 445 kidnap cases were booked, registering 11 per cent growth in crime against women. The police conducted raids and rescued 332 trafficked victims, including 11 minors, and arrested 620 traffickers.
7,443 road mishaps
The DGP said 7,863 persons died in 7,443 road accidents, and 100 model police stations were planned in the State. Regarding red sanders smuggling, the police registered 384 cases and apprehended 2,239 smugglers and booked PD Act against 28 notorious smugglers.
An ‘Organised Cell’ is likely to come up in the State soon to control red sanders and ganja smuggling, Mr. Sambasiva Rao added.
Technical consultant to AP Police K.P.C. Gandhi said recommendations were submitted to the government on extensive use of social media, vigil on misuse of social media, community policing, e-surveillance, integrated road services, utilisation of GPS, big data analysis and other topics to improve policing.
