DGP confirms Veerappan mark on red sanders smuggling

Hyderabad: It’s official. DGP B. Prasada Rao said that smuggling of Red Sanders in Chittoor bears Veerappan stamp.

“It is evident that sandalwood smugglers from erstwhile gangs are involved. We are informed that wood-cutting gangs from Veerappan’s era are active,” said Rao confirming the DC report filed earlier.

He said gangs from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are involved in the red sanders cutting.

“Chittoor and parts of Kadapa are the most affected. We have one platoon of police force attached to each of the eight forest divisions in which red sanders are abundant. All the entry points have check-posts with police force to help foresters. Along the AP and TN borders we are trying to control the influx of these gangs. In the recent murders of foresters, we have arrested the kingpins,” said Rao.

The DGP also added that in the Palem Volvo bus mishap case, action would be initiated against owner, Uma Reddy (kin of J.C. Diwakar Reddy).

“The CID is probing the case. Action will be taken after probe.”