Tirupati: The police said it had arrested three smugglers and about 100 wood cutters for Sunday’s deadly ambush in which two forest officials were killed, just 15 km from Tirumala.
The Tirupati Urban police and task force, who had vowed to nab the attackers in 24 hours, blocked all routes from Seshachalam hills and combed the area extensively.
Speaking to media, SP Rajasekhar Babu announced the arrest of Govindarajulu, 35, and Chavadan Kali, 26, of Kallavur village and Ramaswamy, 25, of Killanooru village in Tirupattur taluk, Vellore district.
Next: Smugglers confess to killings
Smugglers confess to killings
Tirupati: Police said the smugglers confessed to their role in killing two forest officials in Sunday’s deadly ambush at Tirupati. Another 100 wood cutters were also arrested for the attack.
Babu added that cellphones and ornaments stolen from the bodies of N.R. Sridhar and David Karunakar had been recovered.
Cases under IPC Sections for murder, dacoity, rioting and conspiracy, among others, and provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act have been booked against the killers.
Babu said a dedicated team of 20 armed policemen would be placed at the disposal of the forest department. Better coordination mechanisms would also be in place between the forest department, task force and the police, he said.
Babu added that the killers would be taken into police custody for further investigation. Reiterating the commitment of the police to maintain peace around the temple town, he said that all out efforts would be made to effectively check the smuggling menace.
Next: Forest guards to get US arms
Forest guards to get US arms
U. Sudhakar Reddy | DC
Hyderabad: After the incident in Tirupati where two unarmed forest guards were killed by smugglers, the forest department wants to hasten the process of procuring US-made weapons. It has promised that the guards will be armed in three months.
The procurement process, though, is a lengthy one. The forest department has proposed purchasing 250 weapons. A committee recently cleared the procurement, but it is not clear whether the forest department will procure the arms directly or through the State Trading Corporation or through the AP Police.
Chief wildlife warden A.V. Joseph said, “We have enough money to procure the weapons and we are hoping the process will be completed in two-three months.”
A senior police official said the forest department has been advised by its counterpart in Madhya Pradesh to go for US-made weapons which are more reliable. They have chosen 12-bore guns for ground-level staff and revolvers for senior officers.
“The procurement from the local ordinance factory will be delayed as there is a long waiting list. It is better to go for US-made weapons as the procurement is quicker. Procurement through the State Trading Corporation will be more useful. Most of the times we do that,” he said. The forest department also has to get clearance from the Centre to procure weapons from abroad.
