ASR: Extortionist gang posing as Maoists busted; 5 held

Paderu: Police have busted a fake Maoist gang and arrested five men who were extorting money from civil contractors and the business community in the ASR district.

Police have recovered several items including three manpacks, two air pistols, three SBBL guns, three mobile phones, Rs 45,000 in cash, two bikes, and three olive green dresses from the accused.

ASR district police chief Tuhin Sinha said former militia members were involved in the recent incidents of extortion. They posed as Maoists and demand money from contractors, businessmen, and citizens.

Chintapalli and G Madugula cops led by Chintapalli additional SP, KPS Kishore arrested the three fake naxals when the gang was threatening road and bridge contractors and village elders in the G Madugula area.

Sinha said Gemmeli Sathibabu, Mulajangi Chinnarao, and Killo Epra were caught by the police near Alagam bridge at Alagam village in Luvvasingi panchayat of G Madugula mandal late on Sunday night. Two others are still absconding, and police are making efforts to apprehend them.

The SP added that the Alagam bridge contractor was threatened by the accused who demanded Rs 30 lakh on April 21. The accused went to Alagam bridge and called the contractor to the hill and threatened to kill him if he did not pay the demanded amount by the end of the month. They also torched his equipment and left.

Police seized a Talk pro manpack, Baofeng manpack, and Talk pro manpack chargers, a BOND air pistol, Tapancha Pistol each, two Pistol Pouches, A4 papers, and two red color permanent markers, three SBBL Guns, two Smart Mobile phones, one Jio keypad mobile phone, two pulsar bikes, three alive green shirts and Rs 45,000 in cash from the possession of accused.

G Madugula cops registered a case under section 387, 419, 120 (b) IPC, and section 25 Indian Arms Act against five persons.