Tamil Nadu   

Safe haven for criminals

Increasing burglaries in isolated farmhouses is a cause for concern, writes S. Prasad

A spate of burglaries in the last two weeks in independent and isolated farm houses in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri has been causing concern not only to law enforcement agencies but people too. Situated on the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the hilly and undulated terrains in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts have become a safe haven for criminal gangs operating across the border. A string of attacks in Kadathur, Morapur, Pappireddipatti in Dharmapuri district and Orappam and Hosur in Krishnagiri district in the last 15 days has left the police baffled. The gangs behind the attacks are yet to be traced.

The gangs are mainly from the border villages. After committing a crime they move to the neighbouring state. After committing murders in Karnataka the criminals dumped bodies in Hosur. Most of the incidents took place between 12.30 p.m. and 2 a.m. The gangs assaulted inmates of houses with iron rods before decamping with cash and jewellery. The victims said the gang members spoke Telugu. Apart from the criminal activities, Naxalite threat too looms large in the districts.

Superintendent of Police Dharmapuri district H.M. Jayaram said: "Special teams have been formed and night patrolling has been intensified in the border villages.

In addition, armed police personnel have been deployed across 50 check-posts in the district to arrest the gang members."

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