Rachakonda police issue alert on chaddi-banian gang

Hyderabad: With activities of the notorious chaddi-banian gang registering a jump on the city’s outskirts, the Rachakonda police has issued an alert to the residents of Bhongir and Choutuppal. The gang which moves around wearing only a chaddi and banian targets houses whose residents sleep on terraces. So far around 15 cases in which the gang is suspected to have been involved, have been reported from Rachakonda. Police commissioner Mahesh Bhagawat has instructed police stations in the affected areas to take steps to nab the gang. The chaddi-banian gang is an interstate gang known by that name due to the attire they wear while committing robberies.

Police said the gang move around in villages during the day pretending to be mentally unsound and beg. While begging they identify locked houses. Later, at night they strike wearing only a chaddi and banian. “They enter houses either by breaking open the lock or by snatching the keys using iron rods which the residents keep beside them while sleeping. They cover their faces with cloth and apply oil all over the body to escape if caught,” police said.

The gang usually strikes multiple targets and steals valuables. They also carry weapons to attack if their victims resist. In Kandukur three cases were reported 20 days ago and three days ago six cases were reported. In Choutuppal three cases were reported in the last three days and two cases at the Maheshwaram police station. Police has intensified night patrolling in the affected areas and are keeping tabs on the movements of suspicious persons.