Anantapur: With the suspension of Officer on Special Duty of Task Force and DSP for having alleged links with the red sanders smugglers, the government has now concentrated on keeping an eye on the police and forest officials involved in the smuggling activities in Rayalaseema region.
The smuggling of red sanders has been on rise in the past ten years with alleged coordination of police and forest officials at various levels mainly at Kadapa district.
The red sanders are avai-lable only in Seshachalam forests of Rayalaseema and are of huge demand across the globe. This demand has encouraged many leaders and officials to indulge in corrupt practices.
G. Uday Kumar, the then OSD of task force operating in Tirupati and G.V. Ramana, the sub divisional police officer of Rajam-pet in Kadapa district, we-re suspended for their links with smugglers.
Sources said that more than 16 police officials at various levels including circle inspectors and sub inspectors and about 30 constables have contacts with smugglers. Similarly, many forest officials were allegedly cooperated the smugglers.
The strict action against two top officials for their involvement in illegal act-ivities, including red sand-ers smuggling has raised fingers on many police and forest officials. The evidence shows that Uday Kumar, during his tenure, had received huge bribes from red sanders smugglers every month.
A probe by the AP Vigilance Department has revealed that two cops were entrusted to monitor the activities of smugglers.
Rayalaseema IG Gopala Krishna had personally inspected the Balepalli forest area in Raiway Kodur area on Sunday made it clear that government was serious on smuggling of red sanders. He directed the SP Naveen Gulati to act serious to curb smuggling.
It is evident that the officers had accepted bribes from those involved in criminal cases, an official said.
