Police out to reform thieves

It was SP S.V. Rajasekhar Babu who had launched the innovative experiment to bring reforms among thieves and their family members.

Durga Prasad, a notorious robber with a criminal record of at least 50 cases including firing on cops during a robbery in Gouribidanur Taluk in Karnataka, has been entrusted to Thirumalesh, head constable of Gudibanda police station as part of the reforming programme.

Presently, Durga Prasad is in the judicial custody of Chickabalapur district police and Mr Thirumalesh’s brief is to reform him by counselling him and his family members.

At least 2,500 thieves, house burglars, chain snatchers and robbers have been listed in Anantapur district for reformation to keep them from criminal activities. Police records state there are 3,001 persons with criminal records in the district. Of them, about 500 are from Karnataka and other districts.

The district police has chalked out a plan to reform 2,500 persons by introducing them to alternative livelihoods to lead a respectable life in society.

Anantapur CCS DSP B. Vijayakumar, who is in charge of the programme, said that the robbers were attached with cops who had detailed information about their criminal history.

Anantapur CCS constable Adiseshu is attached to Narayanaswamy alias Errodu of Nuthimadugu Thippepalli, who has a criminal record of 45 cases. Meanwhile constable Jayaramuru has to reform Kadiri Ganganna, who is an accused in at least 30 cases and 14 in Anantapur sub division limits.

Head constable Dhona Singh has been entrusted to reform D. Kullayappa of Dharmavaram with a history of daylight robberies. DSP B. Vijayakumar said the in-charge cops would prepare detailed reports, including fingerprints and day-to-day movements.

“The initiative will curb thefts by repeated counselling and the department will also assist them to get respective sources of income,” he said, adding that the thieves would also be given mobile phones.