Punganur incident: Will take stringent action against trouble makers, says DGP

 KAKINADA: Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police K. Rajendranath Reddy on Saturday said 80 persons have been arrested for the attack on police at Punganur recently.

Speaking to media after inaugurating the new DSP office at Narsapuram, the DG said they are examining whether trouble makers in Punganur incident are locals or had come from outside. He said stringent action would be taken against trouble makers.

He appealed to political parties to cooperate with police in maintaining law and order. He maintained that any step taken by police is motivated by the desire for welfare of the society and not any particular section.

Rajendranath Reddy said 1.40 crore women have registered for DISHA app so far. Of them, 27,000 women have also used the app for lodging complaints with police.

He said crime rate has decreased by 20 per cent compared to last year. Cultivation of ganja has drastically fallen down from 7,500 acres to 1,000 in the agency areas due to steps taken by the police.

The DGP said police have ensured convictions in 104 important criminal cases in the state, three of them involving death sentence. 37 of the accused have received life imprisonment, and 62 persons got incarcerated in jail from seven to 20 years.

Rajendranath Reddy said police officials are advising tribal people to cultivate alternative crops instead of ganja. Agriculture and horticulture officials are helping tribals in this regard, he stated.