The police are keeping a tab on the activities of suspects, Known Depredator (KDs) and rowdy sheeters in Vijayawada Police Commissionerate, particularly those involved in unlawful activities in the last few years.
Nearly 500 rowdy and other criminal elements live in the city, and the police are counselling them police-station wise since a few days.
But, the allegations made by former YSR Congress Party leader P. Gowtham Reddy against the same party leader and former MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna and the latter’s counter allegations alerted the police.
Police are verifying the city crime records and the activities of both the leaders and the history of their followers.
Last year, the police arrested industrialist Koganti Satyam for allegedly threatening an MLA with dire consequences, over installation of Vinayaka idol for Ganesh Chaturthi.
“YSR Congress Party leader Mr. Radhakrishna unnecessarily targeted Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in a press conference and created tension in the city. Some leaders are trying to incite violence and create law and order problem in capital region,” a police officer said.
“We request the leaders not to make any comments against any community and religion and insult the sentiments of any section or group. The police will not hesitate to book Preventive Detention (PD) Act against those trying to incite violence on the name of caste and disrupt peace,” the officer warned.
Communal violence
Instructions have been given to the officers of Intelligence, Special Branch (SB) and the Commissioner’s Task Force (CTF) and other wings to keep a vigil on the movements of the rowdy sheeters, KDs and suspect sheeters in the city.
“Some people are trying to create communal violence and we have specific information in this regard. We are watching the movements of some criminals, their aides, contacts and the persons who are meeting them,” a senior police official said.