Tirupati: To keep a close watch, the special task force attached to the Chittoor district police has for the first time opened rowdy sheets against 14 red sanders smugglers on whom PD Act was slapped and who have to spend at least six months in jail. Whether these smugglers are released from jail or not, the police deems it eligible that rowdy sheets are opened. If they are indeed released from jail, the police will keep a close watch on their movements and also conduct counselling.
If they are not, the police will conduct counselling for them after they come out of jail. The task force officials have sent the list to the concerned police stations and instructed the station house officers to conduct counselling to the smugglers listed, on the lines of other rowdy sheeters. The decision was taken after the Seshachalam encounter.
Meanwhile, the eight multifunctional mobile units set up by the task force have stepped up vigilance on red sanders smugglers. Each mobile unit comprises 6 constables and a sub-inspector. These units check the vehicles at the check-posts on the highways. In case of need, they will intercept the vehicles and check them.
If red sanders are found, it would be seized and handed over to the police stations concerned to book cases. The reason behind the move was information that the smugglers have stored red sanders logs in some secret places and were illegally transporting it.
The officials have stepped up vigilance on the movements of all vehicles. The police so far have opened suspect sheets on 200 persons like woodcutters, vehicle drivers, and their associates. The district administration clamped Preventive Detention Act against 45 red sanders smugglers.
The special task force attached to the Chittoor district OSD M. Ratna said, “We have opened 15 rowdy sheets on those smugglers against whom we had slapped the PD Act. The district administration slapped the PD Act against 40 red sander smugglers so far. We will open suspect sheets on some more very soon.”
