Western Godavari, a den of mafia acts

The gangs are into real estate, fake currency racket, gold smuggling, operating unauthorised fish tanks, encroachment of temple lands, running liquor syndicates, gambling, cockfights, cricket betting, murders and so on leaving people in dread.

Earlier, the people used to live in peace and their preoccupation used to be cultivation of paddy and other crops, while some used to run agri-based industrial units to sustain themselves. Of late, the vast rich fertile soil is shrinking as people have started converting their lands for real estate, while some are leasing them out for digging fish tanks as aqua culture has turned lucrative due to its export potential.

Several people moved to Gulf countries to work as labourers in the construction industry, while some are in health care. Some earned good money and came home to set up petty business, while others failed and returned penniless. One finds palatial buildings mainly in and around Bhimavaram, Narasapuram and other areas in the district.

The people in a bid to make money quickly are resorting to illegal activities with the active connivance of some political leaders. At Kolleru Lake area, the influence of these leaders is such that, even forest officials fear to accept postings because nobody can stop illegal pisciculture spread over thousands of acres of land.

Bhimavaram is a major hub for circulation of fake currency brought from Bangladesh. The culprits use local politicians and others to circulate fake currency notes and only experts can differentiate the fake notes from genuine ones. A huge quantum of gold in the form of biscuits and bars is being smuggled to the town from Tamil Nadu and is converted into gold jewellery and ornaments for sale. Fake currency notes and illegal gold are being smuggled from Mumbai by sea to Perupalem beach near Narasapuram and this town is also becoming a hub for hawala trade.

During Pongal, the people organise cock-fights and go on a betting spree, involving several hundred crores every year. Rich businessmen and youngsters are involved in betting on cricket matches involving huge sums.

A Professor from SRKR engineering college in Bhimavaram was murdered over real estate business, while a man was attacked with bombs over liquor business in Bhimavaram. A rowdy sheeter was shot dead on the premises of the court in Tadepalligudem in the past.

The craving for money has reached such an extent that when an auto driver was found dead, by the time his identity was established and the body restored to his family, his vital organs were missing in Narasapuram. Narasapuram based Gandhian Studies Centre director Dr D. Venkateswara Rao said, as people intend to make easy money and lead a luxurious life, they are resorting to illegal activities.