The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Carnage accused still on the run

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Saturday, Aug 18, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Carnage accused still on the run

D.Chandrabhaskar Rao

Threatening police and people

Police on a manhunt for Thatiparthi Rama Rao
Search for him has been extended to entire State

RUDRAKSHAPALLI ( Khammam dt): The fictionalised accounts making rounds about man accused in the Rudrakshapalli carnage rendered the nights sleepless for many.

It is feared that he might strike any time once again. He taunts people and police with chilling threats and makes life in the village nightmarish.

The police from two districts – Khammam and Krishna have been on a man hunt for Thatiparthi Rama Rao ever since he escaped from the Nuzvid sub jail on January 6 last. He was the prime accused in the killing of six persons in the village on December 21, 2005.

The search for him has been extended to entire State by engaging special parties. The police have announced a reward of Rs 40,000 on his head. They have put up posters and circulated post cards seeking post cards information on his movements. But information about him proved to be hard to come by.

It was often rumoured that he had surfaced in the nearby villages thus putting police on tenterhooks. The police surrounded a person with features similar to that of Rama Rao near Mulkalpalli. It proved to be a case of mistaken identity and hence decided to act hereafter only on full-fledged information.

Crucial clues

Thieving is his way of life. He keeps committing smaller or serious offences where ever he is.

Such offences should give some crucial clues to make the hunt successful, said a senior police official.

The police have kept tab on one of his relatives at Gandhinagar. They have been frequenting the place in hope of tracing him, but to no avail.

It is rumoured often that he sighted in the mango grooves at Mulkalpalli and again somewhere near Tiruvur. The police have been making out efforts to nab him alive, says Mohd Yousuf, a constable from the APSP fourth battalion.

Many residents in the village are not familiar with his face.

“We may not recognise him even if entered Rudrakhsapalli once again’ says Shakunta Rao, a shopkeeper.

He deserted his family when he was only 10. He had many crimes including dacoities and rapes to his credit. His two brothers also had a criminal history.

Rampage

Some farmers had allegedly killed his younger brother Nageswara Rao few years ago and all those suspected to have been involved in the murder were targeted by him. He went on rampage in the village and killed six persons mercilessly.

Some village youths such as Venkata Reddy who ventured to stop him had lost their arms.

But the main persons targeted by him managed to escape.

The Khammam police had put a picket near their houses. The Krishna district police also arranged separate picket at the entrance of the village.

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