Five Inter-State red sanders smugglers held, 27 logs seized

SP G Srinivas says community policing yielding desired results in the district

Chittoor: Police along with a team of Red Sanders Anti-smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) nabbed five Inter-State red sanders smugglers
and seized 27 red sanders logs and three four-wheelers from their possession here on Saturday.

The arrested were identified as V Krishna Murthy (30), Zakir Hussain (45), Selvaraj (55), T Vinod Kumar, all residents of Tamil Nadu and
S Subramanayam (42) of Boyapalli village of Piler mandal.

Addressing the media at old district police office here on Sunday, SP G Srinivas said that RSASTF and police conducted joint raids at
Talambedu and NR Pet.

The SP said that the red sanders smugglers have been involved in red sanders smuggling for the last 10 years. He said that the accused
were also involved in the smuggling case where plice and RSASTF on July 13, conducted surprise raids at Krishnagiri district in Tamil
Nadu and seized 4.6 tonnes of red sanders logs.

The SP informed that so far, police nabbed 243 red sanders smugglers in different cases and seized 270 red sanders logs weighing 31.6
tonnes and 75 vehicles this year.

Speaking about the community policing system which became a big hit in the direction of people-friendly policing, the SP said, “Now, we
are using the services of the CPOs in almost all areas of policing, including crime, traffic regulation, night beats, security duties, road
accidents, data entry and operations against red sanders smuggling.” He said that as part of strengthening the CPO system, all the 4,500
members were given orientation in the first-aid modules. “They are also receiving training in all aspects of policing. Young engineering
graduates are coming forward to offer their services at the police stations, at the reception and data entry work,” he added.

Additional SP V Ratna and DSPs Lakshmi Naidu and Ramakrishna were present.