Now, police pick up dhol to curb red sanders smuggling

Huge rallies in habitations abutting Seshachalam hills

SP Ghattamaneni Srinivas inspecting the rehearsals for the cultural campaign at Police Parade Ground in Chittoor on Monday. - PHOTO: K. Umashanker

Dhol and Tasha are all set to reverberate in hundreds of villages abutting the Seshachalam hills in the district on Tuesday, as the Police Department is bracing up to undertake a high-decibel campaign to educate the residents on red sanders smuggling.

The department have roped in artistes from Pune in Maharastra to train the police who will perform in the forest fringe habitations to sensitise the villagers against the smuggling activities.

Under the programme, huge rallies would be taken out with the involvement district police personnel and residents in Piler, which is considered the epicentre of red sanders smuggling.

Superintendent of Police Ghattamaneni Srinivas, after a three-month-long brain storming sessions, have formed cultural troupes to create awareness among the people.

People-friendly policing

“Our objective is to make the policing people-friendly. Without their cooperation, it will be difficult to achieve targets for social good. Our campaign with the theme of ‘Let us move to protect Red Sanders’ will see participation of all sections of people, government, voluntary groups and nature lovers,” the SP said.

Trained by expert dhol-artistes, a 100-member troupe of Chittoor district police have been rehearsing for the campaign for the last fortnight.

“This unique campaign will definitely enthral the villagers. I have confidence that the sound will create a miracle in creating awareness to protect red sanders trees,” Mr. Srinivas observed.