Hyderabad: Nayeem was such a terror that even ruling party MLAs used to run for cover when they heard his name. The name send shivers down their spines.
Bhongir MLA P. Shekar Reddy, a rich builder-turned-politician, was being intimidated by Nayeemuddin, which recently prompted the TRS government to provide the legislator with a bullet-proof car. The assets declared by Shekar Reddy in his election papers were worth around Rs 60 crore.
Nayeem had targeted both TRS MLAs of Bhongir and Nakrekal for extortion and he also sought to establish his dominance in the region.
Sources said Nayeem had become a pain in the neck for both the MLAs, who finally pleaded with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for police protection. Nayeem’s targeting of TRS MLAs angered KCR and he asked the police to hunt him down. Nayeem had political ambitions and, for effect, used to conduct the Ganesh Utsav in Nalgonda district with fanfare every year in the name of his slain brother Aleemuddin alias Ali. He also gets his cut-outs set up. He issues diktats to MLAs to attend the event.
Nakrekal TRS MLA Vemula Veeresham said, “Nayeem had unleashed terror in the region through his involvement in land dealings and resorted to huge extortions. He coerced surrendered Naxals into becoming his aides. Like many others, he issued threats to me too. He had invited me for Ganesh Utsav celebrations last year but I refused to attend it.”
Bhongir MLA Shekar Reddy refused to share information regarding the threats he faced from Nayeemuddin. “It’s all over. I didn't face any threat,” he said.
Nayeem had links with HM ultras
Former Naxal turned gangster Nayeemuddin had links with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from whom he procured AK-47s. Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin of Pakistan had supplied AK-47s to Nayeem through Mujeeb Ahmed, the local commander. Nayeem was declared a fugitive in the case and it was suspected that he had links with many arms suppliers.
The Hyderabad SIT registered a conspiracy case against HM for procuring AK 47s from Pakistan in December 2005. The truck from Ajmer was carrying weapons under a load of apples.
Police said the court convicted Mujeeb to life imprisonment and six others to 10 years RI in 2009. In 2014 April a division bench of AP High Court upheld the conviction of Mujeeb Ahmed but acquitted six others. Nayeem-uddin and Hizbul Chief Salahuddin were declared fugitives.
