Mancherial sees deterioration in law and order

The disturbing trend has become a cause for concern to the people of the town.

Mancherial: In an unwelcoming sign, the law and order situation of Mancherial district headquarters has deteriorated in the last few months, with the town seeing unprecedented clashes between groups in different parts at regular intervals.

The district headquarters was known for tranquility and harmony between various sections. Evidently, religious structures and temples located in the middle of a road were peacefully shifted to some other place. However, it has been witnessing conflicts between some gangs and individuals over petty issues, property disputes, clashes over love affairs, brutal recovery of loans and brawls out of previous enmity during religious affairs and processions of idols at night for the last few months.

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For instance, a realtor from Manthani in Peddapalli district, Kunta Srinivas was arrested for allegedly attempting to murder Pothireddy Sudhakar Reddy and trying to grab a piece of land belonging to Reddy and two others at Garmilla in the town on October 10. Srinivas was accused of trying to kill Reddy with a sword. Reddy managed to survive by fleeing the spot.

Eleven persons were on September 29 arrested for allegedly attempting to murder one Mera Sanjeev, a supervisor working for a Congress leader Jaganmohan Rao at his office on Bypass Road area on September 23. They confessed to committing the crime following previous enmity. Seven more accused persons including Gadapa Rakesh, an owner of a gym, were still at large.

It is learnt that a gang was formed in the town a few months back. Members of the gang are reportedly involved in clashes, disturbing the peace of the town. They are hired by owners of properties in cases of land disputes by paying huge amounts and offering liquor. They sometimes assault civilians for sneaking into the premises of their houses.

Similarly, those who are addicted to banned ganja are said to be attacking individuals. According to police sources, youngsters and accused persons in different crimes are committing the offences under the influence of liquor.

The disturbing trend has become a cause for concern to the people of the town.

“Mancherial never witnessed such clashes between individuals and wars of domination between two factions,” K Mallaiah, a social activist from the town opined.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Aggadi Bhaskar, told ‘Telangana Today’ that stringent action would be taken against those who disturb the law and order of the town. Cases were being booked against troublemakers and the accused persons are being arrested. Special drives were being conducted to prevent unlawful gathering at night and to check consumption in public spaces, he said.

• Persons bounded over in the district from January 1 to October 17: 1,477
• Cases booked for peddling ganja from June to October 17: 27
• Suspect sheets opened against habitual offenders: 65
• Ganja addicts sent to de-addiction centres: 37
• Ganja addicts counselled by police: 194
• Lodges seized for flesh trade: 2

Recent instances

• Thigulla Shiva Kumar, Karengula Arun arrested for assaulting Shirish for asking them to reduce the volume of music system during Durga Devi idol procession on October 13
• Six persons arrested for man-handling one Sohail and damaging his car over recovery of a loan at Tilaknagar
• During Bathukamma festival, four taken into custody for assaulting two others following previous conflict at church in Gopalwada