MLA Raja Singh tries to stop cops

Hyderabad: Tension mounted at Dhoolpet in the wee hours of Sunday when Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh and a mob, most of them women, had a face off with the West Zone police, who came to conduct a cordon and search operation.

The police team consisting of 35 cops and many high officials, however, defeated all attempts of the MLA to stop the search. DCP V. Satyanarayana said the search was conducted as per the Telangana government’s plan to make Hyderabad safe.

Higher officials said that they will not allow anybody, no matter how high he might be, to protect criminals.

After driving away the MLA, the police continued the raid and arrested 45 suspects and seized 31 two wheelers which were used for the transportation of ID liquor. Police also recovered 110 big and small gas cylinders used for illegal refilling and around 20,000 litres of molasses (wash). Police also destroyed ID liquor manufacturing establishments.

Cops said that Dhoolpet is one of the oldest suburbs in Hyderabad with several families belonging to the Lodha community. “Most of them sell illicit liquor despite several raids. Dhoolpet is also a refuge for bootleggers and criminals.

Whenever police raid their houses they pelt stones and their women threaten to set themselves ablaze. This raid was aimed at ending all such attempts,” said a senior police official.

Police raided the area to apprehend bootleggers and anti-social elements. The police teams had quick reaction units, traffic teams, escorting teams and strike parties. Most of the arrested are suspects in criminal cases.