Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Police on trail of extortion gangs

Gangland murders seem to have instilled a sense of insecurity among citizens, writes G. Anand

The city police will initiate a crackdown on criminal gangs thriving on extortion, money lending and muscle-for-money operations. The special initiative comes in the wake of the murder of Anil Kumar alias `Motta' Ani in the city on February 8.

The 32-year-old youth, who is accused in several cases, including two murders, was hacked to death by a six-member gang at Thaliyil junction. The killing comes close on the heel of another gangland murder in Kazhakkuttom on January 16. The daylight murders seem to have instilled a sense of insecurity among citizens.

The police could do little on Thursday when supporters of `Mota' Ani terrorised traders and pedestrians. The police said that the killing of Anil could be the high point of a feud between criminal gangs profiting from money lending and settling of civil disputes in the city. An official said that gang leaders now "remote controlled" most of the gangland violence by using youth who were yet to figure in police crime records.

The police have scarce intelligence on the activities of the gang leaders who are patronised by certain politicians, policemen and businessmen. Many corrupt elements in the police department have invested their money with gang leaders involved in the money lending business. Commissioner Dinendra Kashyap said the city police have prepared a list of 323 history-sheeters, including gang leaders. He said the police would crackdown strongly on gangsterism. Any information could be given anonymously at 0471-2321399 and also at the Crime Stopper number -1090.

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Police on trail of extortion gangs

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