TG half-yearly crime review meeting: DGP calls for tougher crackdown on gangs and drug offences

Telangana Director General of Police Jitender stressed the need for focused and sustained action against organised criminal gangs and drug-related offences across the State.

Addressing the concluding session of the first half-yearly crime review meeting held at the DGP’s office in Hyderabad on Thursday (August 7), he called on commissioners and superintendents of police to ramp up legal action and surveillance on gang activity in their respective jurisdictions.

The meeting was coordinated by CID Additional DGP Charu Sinha and saw the participation of senior officers including TGPA Director Abhilasha Bisht, DG Prisons Soumya Mishra, and Additional DGPs Mahesh M. Bhagwat, V. V. Srinivasa Rao, Swati Lakra, Anil Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Jain, and Stephen Ravindra.

Mr. Jitender pointed out that several gang-linked offenders have been serving prison sentences for more than two decades. He said strict provisions under existing laws give officers enough scope to take decisive action. He also directed the force to increase efforts to tackle drug supply networks and rising drug abuse, warning that the trend is endangering youth in the State. He instructed officers to trace the source of seized substances, which are frequently smuggled in from other States.

EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya informed the gathering about recent arrests of Nigerian nationals involved in trafficking drugs. Drug Control Director Shahnawaz Qasim urged district police units to cooperate closely with drug control authorities, particularly in tackling counterfeit medicines.

CID DIG Narayana Naik gave an overview of the new legal provisions. Legal Advisor Ajay Kumar flagged common investigation gaps. TGPA Director Abhilasha Bisht spoke about ongoing police training efforts. Director of Prosecution Sambasiva Reddy addressed legal strategies for handling organised crime.

Women and Child Welfare Secretary Anita Ramachandran highlighted the role of Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti. Kripala Singh from Gandhi Medical College shared forensic inputs relevant to criminal investigation. Rakesh, Superintendent of Osmania Hospital, explained medico-legal and post-mortem documentation procedures.

Former public prosecutor Ramulu presented a legal overview of gang-related cases. DG Prisons Soumya Mishra discussed issues concerning prisoner escorts and security.

Additional DGP V. V. Srinivasa Rao reviewed the State’s use of the CCTNS system and surveillance camera coverage. Additional DGP (Law & Order) Mahesh M. Bhagwat recommended focused enforcement against gangs such as Cheddi, Bhaveria, and Pardi. He also advised using the PD Act in cases involving fake seeds.

Senior officials including Rachakonda Commissioner Sudheer Babu, Cyberabad Commissioner Avinash Mohanty, Multi-Zone IGPs Chandrasekhar Reddy and Tafseer Iqbal, along with IGPs M. Ramesh, Ramesh Naidu, M. Srinivasulu, and all other commissioners and SPs also attended the review meet.