Police arrest ND commander

Khammam: Police apprehended the district secretary of Bhadradri Kothagudem New Democracy (Royal Group) and Dalam commander here on Friday, who was allegedly involved in a murder case and 20 other cases of collecting money from businessmen and contractors by threatening them.

According to the Commissioner of Police Tafseer Iqbal, the accused was identified as Punem Lingaiah alias Linganna (43), who joined Malam Dalam in 1997 as a member as he was attracted by Maoists ideology. Linganna was later appointed as the secretary of Bhadradri Kothagudem New democracy.

He along with his team was indulged in about 20 cases in Gundal, Allapalli, Bodutekulapalli, Komuraram Kothagudem, Yellandu and Gundala areas. He was the prime accused in the murder case of Jatothu Chandru. On a tip off, the Raghunathapalem Assistant Sub-inspector of Police Gopi and police personnel apprehended Punem Lingaiah and seized one pistol, four rounds of bullets, one two-wheeler and Rs 25,000 cash from his possession.

The Commissioner congratulated Khammam Rural Assistant Commissioner of Police Naresh Reddy, Rural Circle Inspector Thirupathi Reddy, ASI Gopi and constables G Sitharamulu and Srinivas Rao or nabbing Linganna.