Gym centres in Mancherial under police scanner

A watch is kept on certain gyms of the town as few of the accused persons arrested recently were members of a gym,” Mancherial Inspector R Bansilal said

Mancherial: Gym centres in the town have now come under the scanner of the police following a clash of two factions.

Seven persons were on Thursday arrested for allegedly attempting to murder Mera Sanjeev, an associate of Congress leader Jaganmohan Rao at the latter’s house on the bypass road in the town on September 23.

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Police have launched a search to nab the main accused person G Rakesh, an owner of a gym, by forming special teams. They inspected three popular gyms in the town and gathered details of members on Friday.

“The two factions have been vying for domination against each other for quite a long time. They are clashing with each other at regular intervals. However, the conflict between the two groups is spoiling the peace and tranquility of the town.

A watch is kept on certain gyms of the town as few of the accused persons arrested recently were members of a gym,” Mancherial Inspector R Bansilal said.

It is learnt that youngsters and persons with criminal history are joining gyms for body building and improving physical fitness.

They are allegedly getting addicted to consumption of ganja and liquor at these gyms. They are allegedly involved in gang wars, a new menace rising in the district headquarters.

Nearly 20 gym centres are operated for men and women in several parts of the town. While a majority of them are organized by trained fitness coaches, a few of them are run by youngsters who graduate in engineering and other degree courses.

Of late, these gyms are becoming haven for illegal activities including consumption of ganja, attacks on civilians, teasing women, settlements of land and financial disputes, etc.

Meanwhile, the gyms operated by professional trainers are witnessing a dip in clients following the watch by police on some gym centres.

“Membership of fitness seekers is declining at most of the gyms in the last few days, resulting in losses for owners,” an operator regretted, adding that fitness seekers were now hesitating to visit the gyms in the wake of the clash between the two factions and special focus of the police on the gyms.