PHOTO FEATURE - The wild in Nallamalais
Monday, 23 December 2013
Sunday, 22 December 2013
MOST WANTED Red sanders smugglers are from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru and Red Hills in Chennai
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Top Red Sanders smugglers hailing from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru
rural and Red Hills of Chennai are wanted by AP police and forest department in
connection with organized racketing of the priced wood. According to police they are
operating with national and international organized criminal links. From Karnataka
interestingly all of them belong to Kattigenahalli in Hoskote Taluk of Bengaluru rural
and efforts of Special Task Force sleuths to nab the top smugglers failed. Kattigenahalli
is notorious for sandalwood thieves and they have now they have put their focus on the
Red Sanders in the State.
Shabuddin 38, Riyza 35, Izaz, Babu alias Malur Babu, Bakshu alias Syed Isaq 65, Nazeer,
Moula, Anju, Muktiar Khan 36 of Kattigenahalli, Ramesh and Prem Kumar are identified as
the wanted top smugglers of Red Sanders.
A senior police official involved in the operations said ,"it is very difficult to visit
Kattigenahalli as there is lot of retaliation and entire village keeps tab on any new
person entering it,"
According to police records Ramanadhan, Bala, L V Mani and Sedi of two families hailing
from Red Hills in Chennai are also on the top of wanted list. A few other known smugglers
hail from Anna Nagar in Chennai.
A top police official involved in anti smuggling operations of red sanders said ,”All
the top smugglers hailing from Karnataka and Tamilnadu are grade-1 or stage-1 smugglers
and those hailing from Andhra Pradesh are second stage or grade two smugglers. Most of
them are arrested by the Special Task Force to prevent smuggling. Reddy Narayana, G Siva
Prasad Naidu of Kadapa, A Penchalaih, Subba Reddy, Rasool, S Jaya Rao of Nellore are
stage 11 operatives and they have been identified and arrested,”
Police confirmed that the labour contractors and wood cutters are all hailing from
erstwhile Veerappan period villagers. Most of the labour contractors hail from
Thirvunnamalai district and Salem district in Tamilnadu. Wood cutters are coming from
Thrivullaur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Thrivuannamalai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram in Tamilnadu
and villages of Nellore and Chitoor Andhra Pradesh.
“These wood cutters are experts and after death of Veerappan in 2004 they were silent for
few years. For the past five years they are coming to Andhra Pradesh and cutting the Red
Sanders heavily. Several youngsters from the same villages have come into picture,” said
a police official.
Meanwhile cost of Red Sanders have gone up to Rs 60 lakh per tonn in international
market with the police and forest officials cracking whip and tightening the smugglers.
“The value of Red Sanders is Rs 30 lakh per metric tonn in Chennai and Bengaluru but it’s
cost is double in China, Japan and Dubai. This come around Rs 6000 per kg. Each coolie
gets Rs 6000 per ten days whether they cut or not. Due to more restriction and coolie
rate also increased,” said the official.
The wood cutters after cutting the red sanders under the guidance of labour contractors
mostly from Tamilnadu bring them to a road point which will be a kilometer distance. When
the vehicles come they load Red sanders logs into vehicles. A pilot will be ahead of
vehicles with Red Sanders to inform whether there are any police checks. They will hand
over to another smuggler who will take if further. In the second stage for transport
people from AP are involved till they get out of the state borders. When it reaches
Chennai and Bengaluru the smugglers on the top come into picture. Then the role of
organized criminals come into picture who export them to China, Japan and United Arab
Emirates through shipping or air.
Top Red Sanders smugglers hailing from Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru
rural and Red Hills of Chennai are wanted by AP police and forest department in
connection with organized racketing of the priced wood. According to police they are
operating with national and international organized criminal links. From Karnataka
interestingly all of them belong to Kattigenahalli in Hoskote Taluk of Bengaluru rural
and efforts of Special Task Force sleuths to nab the top smugglers failed. Kattigenahalli
is notorious for sandalwood thieves and they have now they have put their focus on the
Red Sanders in the State.
Moula, Anju, Muktiar Khan 36 of Kattigenahalli, Ramesh and Prem Kumar are identified as
the wanted top smugglers of Red Sanders.
A senior police official involved in the operations said ,"it is very difficult to visit
Kattigenahalli as there is lot of retaliation and entire village keeps tab on any new
person entering it,"
According to police records Ramanadhan, Bala, L V Mani and Sedi of two families hailing
from Red Hills in Chennai are also on the top of wanted list. A few other known smugglers
hail from Anna Nagar in Chennai.
A top police official involved in anti smuggling operations of red sanders said ,”All
the top smugglers hailing from Karnataka and Tamilnadu are grade-1 or stage-1 smugglers
and those hailing from Andhra Pradesh are second stage or grade two smugglers. Most of
them are arrested by the Special Task Force to prevent smuggling. Reddy Narayana, G Siva
Prasad Naidu of Kadapa, A Penchalaih, Subba Reddy, Rasool, S Jaya Rao of Nellore are
stage 11 operatives and they have been identified and arrested,”
Police confirmed that the labour contractors and wood cutters are all hailing from
erstwhile Veerappan period villagers. Most of the labour contractors hail from
Thirvunnamalai district and Salem district in Tamilnadu. Wood cutters are coming from
Thrivullaur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Thrivuannamalai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram in Tamilnadu
and villages of Nellore and Chitoor Andhra Pradesh.
“These wood cutters are experts and after death of Veerappan in 2004 they were silent for
few years. For the past five years they are coming to Andhra Pradesh and cutting the Red
Sanders heavily. Several youngsters from the same villages have come into picture,” said
a police official.
Meanwhile cost of Red Sanders have gone up to Rs 60 lakh per tonn in international
market with the police and forest officials cracking whip and tightening the smugglers.
“The value of Red Sanders is Rs 30 lakh per metric tonn in Chennai and Bengaluru but it’s
cost is double in China, Japan and Dubai. This come around Rs 6000 per kg. Each coolie
gets Rs 6000 per ten days whether they cut or not. Due to more restriction and coolie
rate also increased,” said the official.
The wood cutters after cutting the red sanders under the guidance of labour contractors
mostly from Tamilnadu bring them to a road point which will be a kilometer distance. When
the vehicles come they load Red sanders logs into vehicles. A pilot will be ahead of
vehicles with Red Sanders to inform whether there are any police checks. They will hand
over to another smuggler who will take if further. In the second stage for transport
people from AP are involved till they get out of the state borders. When it reaches
Chennai and Bengaluru the smugglers on the top come into picture. Then the role of
organized criminals come into picture who export them to China, Japan and United Arab
Emirates through shipping or air.
AP Foresters want US made weapons to counter Red Sanders smugglers
U Sudhakar Reddy
After Tirupati incident of murder of foresters the forest department
now wants to fasten the process of US made weapons procurement and says in three months
they will be armed.
Forest department has issued orders on Friday for purchase of 250
Smooth Bore Breach Loading (SBBL) guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the personnel
of Forest Beat Officers and Forest Section Officers to fight Red Sanders smugglers.
Orders were given for buying 125 .32 revolvers with 7500 rounds of ammunition including
65 revolvers for Forest Range Officers in Red Sanders areas and Flying Squad parties. The
other weapons will be given to staff in problematic areas. The purchases will be made
through State trading corporation.
The Technical Committee that met recently recommended to procure 250 Maverick made SBBL
Guns, .32 revolvers along with ammunition.
However the procurement has to pass several hurdles. Forest department has proposed to
purchase 250 weapons and claim that they have enough money to procure them. Recently a
committee has cleared the procurement however it is no clear that the forest department
procure them by themselves or through State Trading Corporation or through AP Police.
Chief Wild Life Warden Mr. A V Joseph said ,”We have enough money to procure the weapons
and we are hoping the process to be completed in two to three months,”
A senior police official said ,”Forest department has contacted Madhya Pradesh
counterparts who told them that US made are best as they are reliable and local weapons
may not function some time. Forest officials have chosen 12 bore guns for ground level
staff and revolvers for senior offices. The procurement will be delayed from the local
ordnance factory as there is a big waiting list. It is better go opt for US made as it
quick procurement and advantageous. Procurement through State Trading Corporation will be
more useful. Most of the times we do that,”
Forest officials have to get centre’s clearance to procure the weapons from abroad.
Meanwhile wild life activists demand that a separate forest cell should be set up in AP
police department like anti narcotics cell.
Imran Siddique of Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society says ,”there is an urgent need to
arm the front line staff. In police department a separate forest cell headed by DIG
should be formed so that they can take up investigation immediately,
After Tirupati incident of murder of foresters the forest department
now wants to fasten the process of US made weapons procurement and says in three months
they will be armed.
Forest department has issued orders on Friday for purchase of 250
Smooth Bore Breach Loading (SBBL) guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the personnel
of Forest Beat Officers and Forest Section Officers to fight Red Sanders smugglers.
Orders were given for buying 125 .32 revolvers with 7500 rounds of ammunition including
65 revolvers for Forest Range Officers in Red Sanders areas and Flying Squad parties. The
other weapons will be given to staff in problematic areas. The purchases will be made
through State trading corporation.
Guns, .32 revolvers along with ammunition.
However the procurement has to pass several hurdles. Forest department has proposed to
purchase 250 weapons and claim that they have enough money to procure them. Recently a
committee has cleared the procurement however it is no clear that the forest department
procure them by themselves or through State Trading Corporation or through AP Police.
Chief Wild Life Warden Mr. A V Joseph said ,”We have enough money to procure the weapons
and we are hoping the process to be completed in two to three months,”
A senior police official said ,”Forest department has contacted Madhya Pradesh
counterparts who told them that US made are best as they are reliable and local weapons
may not function some time. Forest officials have chosen 12 bore guns for ground level
staff and revolvers for senior offices. The procurement will be delayed from the local
ordnance factory as there is a big waiting list. It is better go opt for US made as it
quick procurement and advantageous. Procurement through State Trading Corporation will be
more useful. Most of the times we do that,”
Forest officials have to get centre’s clearance to procure the weapons from abroad.
Meanwhile wild life activists demand that a separate forest cell should be set up in AP
police department like anti narcotics cell.
Imran Siddique of Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society says ,”there is an urgent need to
arm the front line staff. In police department a separate forest cell headed by DIG
should be formed so that they can take up investigation immediately,
Centre's move to separate greyhounds training and operation not a good option
U Sudhakar Reddy
Centre’s proposal to separate the control over Greyhounds training
centre and Greyhounds operational hubs has raised many an eyebrows among the top police
officials and anti naxal experts who strongly feel that it may backfire in managing
naxals.
Centre has proposed in AP Reorganisation Bill tabled in State Legislative Assembly on
Monday three years Ministry of Home Affairs will maintain and administer the Greyhounds
Regional Training Centre at Premavathipet in Hyderabad. It will be a common training
centre for the successor States and after three years it will become training centre of
Telangana. However Greyhounds units will be under control of successor State police
headed by respective director generals of police.
Centre in the bills said that it would fund anti naxal fight by giving financial
assistance to new operational hubs of elite anti naxal commando force , Greyhounds , in
the two states of Telangana and AP.
The move of Centre to take over the Greyhounds Training Centre in Hyderabad is stir up a
controversy as police feel that it is difficult as both training and operations are
interlinked.
A senior police official said,”Greyhounds training and operations are interlinked. It is
very difficult to segregate operations and training and it may yield negative results,”
According to bill “Centre shall assist the successor State of AP to set up a similar
state-of the-art training centre at such place as the State government order notify. The
Greyhound and OCTOPUS forces of the existing State of Andhra Pradesh shall be distributed
between the successor States after seeking options from the personnel and, each of these
forces..,” . Greyhounds headquarters and officers quarters are situated in Gandipet in
the city. Vishakapatnam has a regional hub of Greyhounds.
Centre’s proposal to separate the control over Greyhounds training
centre and Greyhounds operational hubs has raised many an eyebrows among the top police
officials and anti naxal experts who strongly feel that it may backfire in managing
naxals.
Centre has proposed in AP Reorganisation Bill tabled in State Legislative Assembly on
Monday three years Ministry of Home Affairs will maintain and administer the Greyhounds
Regional Training Centre at Premavathipet in Hyderabad. It will be a common training
centre for the successor States and after three years it will become training centre of
Telangana. However Greyhounds units will be under control of successor State police
headed by respective director generals of police.
Centre in the bills said that it would fund anti naxal fight by giving financial
assistance to new operational hubs of elite anti naxal commando force , Greyhounds , in
the two states of Telangana and AP.
The move of Centre to take over the Greyhounds Training Centre in Hyderabad is stir up a
controversy as police feel that it is difficult as both training and operations are
interlinked.
A senior police official said,”Greyhounds training and operations are interlinked. It is
very difficult to segregate operations and training and it may yield negative results,”
According to bill “Centre shall assist the successor State of AP to set up a similar
state-of the-art training centre at such place as the State government order notify. The
Greyhound and OCTOPUS forces of the existing State of Andhra Pradesh shall be distributed
between the successor States after seeking options from the personnel and, each of these
forces..,” . Greyhounds headquarters and officers quarters are situated in Gandipet in
the city. Vishakapatnam has a regional hub of Greyhounds.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Erring Miners in Andhra get Rs 60 crore penalty waived off by government on 'Sympathy Grounds"
U Sudhakar Reddy
Vigilance and Enforcement penalties on violators including erring
mining license holders were waived off by the government on ‘sympathy grounds’. Vigilance
after a brief study based on record found that Rs 59.65 crores of penalty and Rs 2.23
crore of normal seigniorage fee was waived off at the government level following the
representations made by the violators who are fined for evasion on minor and major
mineral.
Natural Resources wing in the vigilance conduct surprise checks on granite stock yards,
quarry sites, during transports and at the ports from where the minerals are exported.
Surprise checks were also conducted on raw granite blocks, sand reaches, sand quarry
sites and major construction sites.
After searches and raids penalty is levied on the evaders ranging from one to five times
the seigniorage or royalty fee.
“While reviewing the action taken on the evaded seigniorage fee on minor and major
minerals which was detected by V&E officials during past five years it was found that
entire penalty recommended for imposition on the defaulters was totally waived off.” said
the Vigilance report.
In Vijayawada Rs 2.5 crore, in Srikakulam Rs 14 crore, in Hyderabad City and rural Rs10.2
crore, in Vishakapatnam Rs 2.02 crore was waived off.
“The evader knowingly and willfully commits a criminal act of taking of excess of public
property and gets penalty waiver to cause huge loss to state exchequer. It also send out
wrong signal to the other lease holders to escape from any such acts,”
Sources mines department said that it is being rectified after the vigilance report and
no penalties are waived off recently.
Vigilance and Enforcement penalties on violators including erring
mining license holders were waived off by the government on ‘sympathy grounds’. Vigilance
after a brief study based on record found that Rs 59.65 crores of penalty and Rs 2.23
crore of normal seigniorage fee was waived off at the government level following the
representations made by the violators who are fined for evasion on minor and major
mineral.
quarry sites, during transports and at the ports from where the minerals are exported.
Surprise checks were also conducted on raw granite blocks, sand reaches, sand quarry
sites and major construction sites.
After searches and raids penalty is levied on the evaders ranging from one to five times
the seigniorage or royalty fee.
“While reviewing the action taken on the evaded seigniorage fee on minor and major
minerals which was detected by V&E officials during past five years it was found that
entire penalty recommended for imposition on the defaulters was totally waived off.” said
the Vigilance report.
In Vijayawada Rs 2.5 crore, in Srikakulam Rs 14 crore, in Hyderabad City and rural Rs10.2
crore, in Vishakapatnam Rs 2.02 crore was waived off.
“The evader knowingly and willfully commits a criminal act of taking of excess of public
property and gets penalty waiver to cause huge loss to state exchequer. It also send out
wrong signal to the other lease holders to escape from any such acts,”
Sources mines department said that it is being rectified after the vigilance report and
no penalties are waived off recently.
Fun Zones and Amusement Centres in Hyderabad evade Entertainment Tax
U Sudhakar Reddy
Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths found huge evasion of entertainment
tax by theme parks and gaming zones in the city. In report submitted to the government
after a random check of few companies found that 10 of them have evaded Rs 6.2 crore of
entertainment tax.
This newspaper has earlier reported about searches on these
gaming zones. Vigilance
director General Mr. R P Thakur in his report asked Revenue department Principal
Secretary to instruct the Commercial Taxes department commissioner to recover the money.
Fun zone, Ocean Park, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet, S & S Entertainment, Galaxy, SVM
multiplex were among the violators. Officials say that it is only a tip of iceberg and
there are several companies in the city that are evading the entertainment tax.
Vigilance officials found during inspections that some of the fun zone owners are not
reporting the turnovers to the Commercial Taxes department. On verification of books of
accounts of the amusement and theme parks it was revealed that they are collecting entry
and admission fees from the customers but not paying the entertainment tax on recreation
provided by them.
Section 4 C of AP Entertainment Tax Act amusement and recreations centres have to pay 20
per cent tax on each admission or participation in amusement. Recreations includes theme
parks, resorts, sports and games association, cultural associations, magic shows,
circuses, go-karting, video and computers games and musical concerts. However recreations
which are organized to promote and propagate traditional and ancient arts like classical
music, classical dance and folk arts.
It was found that around 10 companies had a turnover of Rs 33.11 crore and entertainment
tax payable is Rs 6.2 crore. Funzone amusements, Galaxy entertainment limited in Ameerpet
Bigbazar, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet at Kompally, S&S Entertainments, Quo Point Snooker at
Kukatpally and Simply Snooker at Madhapur are other companies found to be erring by the
vigilance.
List of three top evaders
Sri Venkateshwara Multiplex Pvt(SVM) Jubilee Hills Rs 2.6 crore
Ocean Park Multitech Ltd Gandipet Rs 3.3 crore
S Group(Game on sports bar-bowling) Karkhana Rs 13.5 lakh
Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths found huge evasion of entertainment
tax by theme parks and gaming zones in the city. In report submitted to the government
after a random check of few companies found that 10 of them have evaded Rs 6.2 crore of
entertainment tax.
This newspaper has earlier reported about searches on these
director General Mr. R P Thakur in his report asked Revenue department Principal
Secretary to instruct the Commercial Taxes department commissioner to recover the money.
Fun zone, Ocean Park, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet, S & S Entertainment, Galaxy, SVM
multiplex were among the violators. Officials say that it is only a tip of iceberg and
there are several companies in the city that are evading the entertainment tax.
Vigilance officials found during inspections that some of the fun zone owners are not
reporting the turnovers to the Commercial Taxes department. On verification of books of
accounts of the amusement and theme parks it was revealed that they are collecting entry
and admission fees from the customers but not paying the entertainment tax on recreation
provided by them.
Section 4 C of AP Entertainment Tax Act amusement and recreations centres have to pay 20
per cent tax on each admission or participation in amusement. Recreations includes theme
parks, resorts, sports and games association, cultural associations, magic shows,
circuses, go-karting, video and computers games and musical concerts. However recreations
which are organized to promote and propagate traditional and ancient arts like classical
music, classical dance and folk arts.
It was found that around 10 companies had a turnover of Rs 33.11 crore and entertainment
tax payable is Rs 6.2 crore. Funzone amusements, Galaxy entertainment limited in Ameerpet
Bigbazar, Snooker Zone, Cine Planet at Kompally, S&S Entertainments, Quo Point Snooker at
Kukatpally and Simply Snooker at Madhapur are other companies found to be erring by the
vigilance.
List of three top evaders
Sri Venkateshwara Multiplex Pvt(SVM) Jubilee Hills Rs 2.6 crore
Ocean Park Multitech Ltd Gandipet Rs 3.3 crore
S Group(Game on sports bar-bowling) Karkhana Rs 13.5 lakh
Andhra Lokayukta orders implementation of WALTA
U Sudhakar Reddy
Lokayukta issued orders to all district collectors directing them to
implement WALTA (Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tress Act) to conserve ground water and
protect tree cover and to regulate the exploitation and use of ground and surface water.
The orders were issued after it was found mandal level authorities are ineffective to
look into WALTA violations. Some of the mandal committees are neither meeting regularly
nor sending the reports to district authorities resulting in non implementation of act.
Lokayukta Justice B Subhashan Reddy in his directions to all district collectors directed
them to issue instructions to Mandal Level authorities to scrupulously follow the mandate
of the WALTA and the Rules. He also ordered them to send the reports periodically to the
District Level Authorities who shall in turn send them to the State Authority. Felling
of trees without permission is a punishable offence.
The ground water protection measures include registration of wells, Prohibition of water
pumping in certain areas, permission for well and permission for well sinking near
drinking water source, over exploited areas, protection of public drinking water sources,
registration of drilling rigs, closure of wells, taking-over of well to ensure drinking
water. compensation for closed wells, Rain water harvesting structures. Surface water
protective measures include optimum use, protection of lakes, ponds and tanks, ceiling
on water usage and sand mining.
In municipal corporation for every 100 square metres there shall be three trees. The
violators of provision of the act are punishable with a fine of Rs 1000 to Rs 5000. For
felling of trees without prior of permission shall be punishable with a fine which shall
not be less than two times the value of such tree, but which may extend up to 5 times of
the value of such tree. A sum of money not less than Rs.1 lakh by way of compounding of
the offence shall be levied in respect of contravention of sections related to well
sinking near drinking water source, registration of drilling rigs and sand mining.
The complaint was filed by Mr. I Suryanarayana a resident of Kakinada against all mandal
level officers of the Districts of Guntur, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna,
Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, and SPSR Nellore. He sought action
against Tahsildars for not following the provisions of WALTA. The main authority under
the act is State authority in which Rural Development Principal Secretary will be the
ex-officio member secretary.
Mandal Authority has to conduct meeting at least once in a month to take stock of the
situation regarding the water bodies including the open wells, borewells, streams etc and
also the trees and remedy.
.“Unless basic information comes from the Mandal Level Authorities, the functioning of
the State Auhority will be derailed and that is the importance of the requirement of
holding monthly meetings by the Mandal Level Authorities. Notices have been issued to
all the District Collectors to get information from the Mandal Level Authorities as to
the compliance of the provisions of the Act and the Rules and only the Collector,
Vizianagaram has positively responded by filing his report and 3 to 4 Collectors have
sought for adjournment while there is no response from other Collectors. In Vizainagaram
some of them have not conducted meetings and even though some Mandal Level Authorities
are said to have convened meetings, they have not preserved the minutes of such meetings
and some Authorities recorded the minutes, but the same are stated to have not been
traced. These are all the anomalies which have to be rectified to see that everything
falls in line,” observed Lokayukta. At Mandal level Tahsidlar is the chairman and MDO is
the vice chairman.
Box
If any owner desires to fell a tree, he shall apply in writing to the designated officer
for permission in Form – 13 with a fee per tree for Urban residential and Institutional
areas – Rs. 50/- and Urban commercial areas – Rs. 100/-. On receipt of such application
the designated officer after inspecting the trees and holding such enquiry, as he deems
necessary either grant or refuse the permission. The application shall be disposed within
15 days. Permission will be granted subject to condition that another two trees of the
same or suitable species to be planted on the same site or suitable place within 30 days.
If number of trees in any premises or open area is not adequate according to the standard
the owner or occupier may be ordered for planting additional trees. The owner or occupier
of the land shall comply with the order within 90 days.
Where any tree has fallen or destroyed by fire lightening or rain or other
natural causes, the owner / occupier may be ordered to plant a tree in the
place of the tree so felled. The owner or occupier shall comply with the
order within 90 days.
Government through the Memo in 2005 exempted felling of the following species from
taking permission under WALTA. This exemption is only for paper mills.
(a) Subabul
(b) Casuarina
(c) Eucalyptus
Foresters failed to take help of Special Task Force against Red Sanders
U Sudhakar Reddy
Forest officials didn’t take the support of the local police or Task
Force while they went on operation in Seshachalam near Tirumala of Chittoor district. The
information was given to the police only while the attack was happening by that time the
help reached the red sanders smugglers stoned to death two foresters.
A special Task Force comprising of armed policemen with headquarters in Tirupati headed
by an Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Uday Kumar has been operating against red
sanders smugglers for the past six months. It consists of two platoons with around 70 men
and forest officials were involved in several arrests.
Rayalaseema Region Inspector General of Police Mr. Rajiv Ratan said ,”Forest officials
went on their own without information to the police. They would have taken either Task
Force or local police help before they have gone for an operation. Forest officials were
unarmed. Our Task Force have been doing a good work and arrested several of the
smugglers. Local police in December 2012 opened fire and killed a red sanders smuggler,”
Base camps have been set up in different areas of Seshachalam hills.
In December 2012 a Red sanders smuggler Murugesan of Uppuru village in Villupuram
district was shot dead when police opened fire after he and his gangs attacked them with
knives and hurled stones. Murugesan was involved in smuggling of trees in
Karivepakulakona along the foothills of the Seshachalam range. An associate of him
Bhagyaraj survived after injuries. Three armed policemen and forester were hospitalized
with injuries.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. B S S Reddy said ,”In fact our staff called
for the police help while the attack took place. They ran helter skelter for cover when
they smugglers rained stones on them. Some of them had hidden in the bushes and some of
them called up for help after they find two of their members are missing. The staff from
Tirumala base camp were on daily routine patrolling of vulnerable points. It’s a daily
practice. By the time the help went it took place. The incident took place around 9.30
am,”
Meanwhile Chief Minister Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy ordered an enquiry into the incident
while expressing shock over the Tirupati incident in which to forest staff died. He
condemned the inhuman incident where red sanders smugglers attacked the forest staff near
Parveti Mandap Forest area of Tirupati. CM directed PCCF Mr B SS Reddy to rush to the
spot and ensure the best medical treatment to the injured staff. He directed police
officials to take stringent action against the offenders.
Forest officials didn’t take the support of the local police or Task
Force while they went on operation in Seshachalam near Tirumala of Chittoor district. The
information was given to the police only while the attack was happening by that time the
help reached the red sanders smugglers stoned to death two foresters.
A special Task Force comprising of armed policemen with headquarters in Tirupati headed
by an Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Uday Kumar has been operating against red
sanders smugglers for the past six months. It consists of two platoons with around 70 men
and forest officials were involved in several arrests.
Rayalaseema Region Inspector General of Police Mr. Rajiv Ratan said ,”Forest officials
went on their own without information to the police. They would have taken either Task
Force or local police help before they have gone for an operation. Forest officials were
unarmed. Our Task Force have been doing a good work and arrested several of the
smugglers. Local police in December 2012 opened fire and killed a red sanders smuggler,”
Base camps have been set up in different areas of Seshachalam hills.
In December 2012 a Red sanders smuggler Murugesan of Uppuru village in Villupuram
district was shot dead when police opened fire after he and his gangs attacked them with
knives and hurled stones. Murugesan was involved in smuggling of trees in
Karivepakulakona along the foothills of the Seshachalam range. An associate of him
Bhagyaraj survived after injuries. Three armed policemen and forester were hospitalized
with injuries.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. B S S Reddy said ,”In fact our staff called
for the police help while the attack took place. They ran helter skelter for cover when
they smugglers rained stones on them. Some of them had hidden in the bushes and some of
them called up for help after they find two of their members are missing. The staff from
Tirumala base camp were on daily routine patrolling of vulnerable points. It’s a daily
practice. By the time the help went it took place. The incident took place around 9.30
am,”
Meanwhile Chief Minister Mr. N Kiran Kumar Reddy ordered an enquiry into the incident
while expressing shock over the Tirupati incident in which to forest staff died. He
condemned the inhuman incident where red sanders smugglers attacked the forest staff near
Parveti Mandap Forest area of Tirupati. CM directed PCCF Mr B SS Reddy to rush to the
spot and ensure the best medical treatment to the injured staff. He directed police
officials to take stringent action against the offenders.
Red Sanders Smuggling why is it turning into Mafia?
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Promise to arm foresters with weapons for self defence has been kept
in cold storage for years. Even recent promise by Chief Minister to give weapons to
forest official didn’t materialize so far. Forest department and Centre’s sluggish
attitude towards disposal of thousands of metric tonnes of red sanders is resulting in
huge demand spurting the Red Sanders smuggling activity. The disposal would have
curtailed smuggling say experts.
Imposing Preventive Detection act is not deterring the known smugglers as wood is priced
around Rs 25 lakh per tone and it has demand in several countries due to use in
aphrodisiac drugs, making musical instruments, furniture and other uses. The maximum
imprisonment is not more than a year for the accused in Red Sanders offence under forest
act. Foresters say it need to made non bailable with seven years imprisonment.
Now the foresters demand state government to immediately release weapons and sell off
the red sanders. AP Forest Range Officer Association president Mr. Hari Mohan Reddy
said,”Weapons have to be given on priority basis to the staff. Police escort to the
patrolling parties in identified smuggling areas have to be made a must. Forest
department should also set up a Task Force for the curbing the menace,” In September 2013
tribals hacked a forest official in KK Tanda in Nizamabad when he tried to stop
encroachers.
Other major problem in certain beats in the state each beat officer covers 4000 square
kilometers which is humanly impossible. Recently 2000 posts are sanctioned and they are
in the process of recruitment.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr B S S Reddy defended the government decision
and said ,” we are procuring weapons. Recently a committee headed by Greyhounds Director
General Mr J V Ramudu on December 13 decided on what kind of weapon has to be purchased
and the modalities of procurement. It will be done in three months time. We need to take
more of a police help and organize combing operation. This a very unfortunate incident,”
Director General of Foreign Trade has allowed State to export around 1000 crore worth of
8584 metric tonnes of priced wood Red Sanders which was seized from smugglers. So far ban
existed on export of Red Sanders in log form and there is a huge demand for the wood in
China, Japan and Myanmar. After DGFT clearance centre is waiting for guidelines from
State government.
Police have identified that one Mr anakiraman of Erumbuli village in Tiruvannamalai
district was an expert in mobilising ‘coolies’ to cut the trees transfer. Three other
notorious gangsters are T. Dhanapal, B. Kirubakaran and S. Sundar from Chennai are also
involved in shipping Red Sanders from Chennai port to China, UAE and Malaysia. Mr Reddy
Narayana of Kadapa and Nagari Subramanyam, Gajjela Seenu Reddy of Rompicherla,
international smugglers like, Shafi, Antony Moris, Abdul Kalam and Mustafa Ahmed are the
notorious gangs.
Promise to arm foresters with weapons for self defence has been kept
in cold storage for years. Even recent promise by Chief Minister to give weapons to
forest official didn’t materialize so far. Forest department and Centre’s sluggish
attitude towards disposal of thousands of metric tonnes of red sanders is resulting in
huge demand spurting the Red Sanders smuggling activity. The disposal would have
curtailed smuggling say experts.
Imposing Preventive Detection act is not deterring the known smugglers as wood is priced
around Rs 25 lakh per tone and it has demand in several countries due to use in
aphrodisiac drugs, making musical instruments, furniture and other uses. The maximum
imprisonment is not more than a year for the accused in Red Sanders offence under forest
act. Foresters say it need to made non bailable with seven years imprisonment.
Now the foresters demand state government to immediately release weapons and sell off
the red sanders. AP Forest Range Officer Association president Mr. Hari Mohan Reddy
said,”Weapons have to be given on priority basis to the staff. Police escort to the
patrolling parties in identified smuggling areas have to be made a must. Forest
department should also set up a Task Force for the curbing the menace,” In September 2013
tribals hacked a forest official in KK Tanda in Nizamabad when he tried to stop
encroachers.
Other major problem in certain beats in the state each beat officer covers 4000 square
kilometers which is humanly impossible. Recently 2000 posts are sanctioned and they are
in the process of recruitment.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr B S S Reddy defended the government decision
and said ,” we are procuring weapons. Recently a committee headed by Greyhounds Director
General Mr J V Ramudu on December 13 decided on what kind of weapon has to be purchased
and the modalities of procurement. It will be done in three months time. We need to take
more of a police help and organize combing operation. This a very unfortunate incident,”
Director General of Foreign Trade has allowed State to export around 1000 crore worth of
8584 metric tonnes of priced wood Red Sanders which was seized from smugglers. So far ban
existed on export of Red Sanders in log form and there is a huge demand for the wood in
China, Japan and Myanmar. After DGFT clearance centre is waiting for guidelines from
State government.
Police have identified that one Mr anakiraman of Erumbuli village in Tiruvannamalai
district was an expert in mobilising ‘coolies’ to cut the trees transfer. Three other
notorious gangsters are T. Dhanapal, B. Kirubakaran and S. Sundar from Chennai are also
involved in shipping Red Sanders from Chennai port to China, UAE and Malaysia. Mr Reddy
Narayana of Kadapa and Nagari Subramanyam, Gajjela Seenu Reddy of Rompicherla,
international smugglers like, Shafi, Antony Moris, Abdul Kalam and Mustafa Ahmed are the
notorious gangs.
Brain Wave Finger Printing Validity a big puzzle for cops
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Though the AP Forensic Science Laboratory and State police
headquarters were trying to push the Brain Fingerprinting several top police officials on
Saturday expressed their apprehensions on the validity of the forensic psychology
technique.
During the interaction held at APFSL the CID Additional DG Mr. T Krishna Prasad raised
questions over its admissibility as evidence in the court under Indian Evidence Act.
“There is no doubt about the scientific aspects of brain mapping but the legal aspects
have to be looked into. Under the Indian Evidence Act it can’t be considered as for
convicting an accused,” said Mr. Krishna Prasad.
Representatives from AP Judicial Academy and legal experts from AP Police Academy said it
can be used a corroborative evidence and not a primary evidence. They opined that it is
an investigation tool to zero in on suspects but not for convicting the accused.
Some of the forensic experts have raised a doubt that if the neighbors who visit the
crime scene may also have memory in their brain and if they are in the suspects list the
brain fingerprinting test may nail them too. Top police officials who participated in the
interaction said that the expertise of investigating official is more important while
choosing the probes. The accuracy of results depend too much on the investigating
official’s selection of probes like visuals of crime scene, murder weapon or words and
phrases. However if the accused and investigator has now knowledge of crime the
hypothetical questions can’t be used.
“The equipment can only be used if the suspect or accused gives consent. We don’t know
how many cases they give consent. We should not hurry up in buying such a costly
equipment,” said a police official.
Brain finger printing is based on the finding that the brain generates a unique
brain-wave pattern when a person encounters a familiar stimulus and this is read in a
fraction of second by using electrodes placed on head. A by-stander who witnessed a
murder could potentially be implicated as an accused if the test reveals that the said
person was familiar with the information related to the same
. Similarly, little is known about the impact of viewing portrayal of crime scene in the
media such as television, movies and newspaper on brain mapping. Hence, this test cannot
be used to prosecute an accused but can be used by an innocent as an ‘alibi’ by proving
that he/she does not have any memory about the crime on this test.
However Director General of Police Mr. B Prasada Rao said ,”Brain mapping helps to
identify the criminals and it can be useful. More than Lie Detector and Narco Analysis
the lie detector test was a success in abroad. We are thinking over to bring in this
technology to the State,”
Former DGP Mr Swaranjit Sen whose agency Swarna Suraksha is trying to promote the
equipment said ,”Third degree torture on criminals by the police can be put to an end,”
Though the AP Forensic Science Laboratory and State police
headquarters were trying to push the Brain Fingerprinting several top police officials on
Saturday expressed their apprehensions on the validity of the forensic psychology
technique.
During the interaction held at APFSL the CID Additional DG Mr. T Krishna Prasad raised
questions over its admissibility as evidence in the court under Indian Evidence Act.
“There is no doubt about the scientific aspects of brain mapping but the legal aspects
have to be looked into. Under the Indian Evidence Act it can’t be considered as for
convicting an accused,” said Mr. Krishna Prasad.
Representatives from AP Judicial Academy and legal experts from AP Police Academy said it
can be used a corroborative evidence and not a primary evidence. They opined that it is
an investigation tool to zero in on suspects but not for convicting the accused.
Some of the forensic experts have raised a doubt that if the neighbors who visit the
crime scene may also have memory in their brain and if they are in the suspects list the
brain fingerprinting test may nail them too. Top police officials who participated in the
interaction said that the expertise of investigating official is more important while
choosing the probes. The accuracy of results depend too much on the investigating
official’s selection of probes like visuals of crime scene, murder weapon or words and
phrases. However if the accused and investigator has now knowledge of crime the
hypothetical questions can’t be used.
“The equipment can only be used if the suspect or accused gives consent. We don’t know
how many cases they give consent. We should not hurry up in buying such a costly
equipment,” said a police official.
Brain finger printing is based on the finding that the brain generates a unique
brain-wave pattern when a person encounters a familiar stimulus and this is read in a
fraction of second by using electrodes placed on head. A by-stander who witnessed a
murder could potentially be implicated as an accused if the test reveals that the said
person was familiar with the information related to the same
. Similarly, little is known about the impact of viewing portrayal of crime scene in the
media such as television, movies and newspaper on brain mapping. Hence, this test cannot
be used to prosecute an accused but can be used by an innocent as an ‘alibi’ by proving
that he/she does not have any memory about the crime on this test.
However Director General of Police Mr. B Prasada Rao said ,”Brain mapping helps to
identify the criminals and it can be useful. More than Lie Detector and Narco Analysis
the lie detector test was a success in abroad. We are thinking over to bring in this
technology to the State,”
Former DGP Mr Swaranjit Sen whose agency Swarna Suraksha is trying to promote the
equipment said ,”Third degree torture on criminals by the police can be put to an end,”
Red Sanders smugglers in Andhra adopt Veerappan modes operandi
Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
Red Sanders smugglers are taking violent path and adopting similar
modes operandi that notorious smuggler Veerappan has adopted for sandalwood smuggling.
Top police official of Rayalaseema said labour gangs involved in the sandalwood cutting
in Satyamangalam forest are also actively taking part in Red Sanders smuggling in
Seshachalam.
A top police official said ,”Supply chains, intermediaries and other modes operandi used
are exactly same as that of Veerappan. Most of the gangs are Tamilnadu based and are
intruding into Andhra area. Though the labour gangs are the same of Veerappan gang we are
still working on any of the former ‘left over’ associates of him are involved. The issue
of serious concern is that it is getting violent ,”
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Hong
Kong.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Mr. B S S Reddy said,”Most of the gangs are from
Tamilnadu. They are coming in groups in hundreds. This year alone we have arrested 3000
of them involved in smuggling. Last year the number was similar. They are coming out on
bail. We have asked the government to amend the act and make it as non bailable offence.
Shortly we are expecting government to take up the amendment,” He added that information
regarding names of the those involved can't be divulged.
State government has recently sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red sanders
smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not only the
involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and a chain
of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers. So far nine
persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red Sanders and
Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after court remanded
them to judicial custody.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).
Red Sanders smugglers are taking violent path and adopting similar
modes operandi that notorious smuggler Veerappan has adopted for sandalwood smuggling.
Top police official of Rayalaseema said labour gangs involved in the sandalwood cutting
in Satyamangalam forest are also actively taking part in Red Sanders smuggling in
Seshachalam.
are exactly same as that of Veerappan. Most of the gangs are Tamilnadu based and are
intruding into Andhra area. Though the labour gangs are the same of Veerappan gang we are
still working on any of the former ‘left over’ associates of him are involved. The issue
of serious concern is that it is getting violent ,”
Forest department said that the priced wood consignments are routed to China via Hong
Kong.
Principal Chief Conservator of forests Mr. B S S Reddy said,”Most of the gangs are from
Tamilnadu. They are coming in groups in hundreds. This year alone we have arrested 3000
of them involved in smuggling. Last year the number was similar. They are coming out on
bail. We have asked the government to amend the act and make it as non bailable offence.
Shortly we are expecting government to take up the amendment,” He added that information
regarding names of the those involved can't be divulged.
State government has recently sought Enforcement Directorate probe into Red sanders
smuggling by Chinese nationals after the preliminary investigations found not only the
involvement of foreign nationals but also of international freight agencies and a chain
of middleman as well money transactions among international smugglers. So far nine
persons including 5 Chinese were arrested in the smuggling of both Red Sanders and
Sandalwood. The accused were sent to Cherlapally jail in August 2013 after court remanded
them to judicial custody.
The cases were booked under illegal transportation of sandalwood and red sanders under
section 32 of AP Forest Act and AP Sandalwood and Red sanders possession rule, Biological
diversity act and under theft section of IPC and violation of CITES(convention on
international trade in endangered species).