Pratapgarh police take to ‘munadis’ to nab criminals

ALLAHABAD: In a bid to solicit public support for catching criminals, Pratapgarh police have turned to the age-old system of ‘munadis’ or public announcements.

Through this system, the cops plan to check the rising number of heinous crimes like murders, loots and extortions etc in the district. On the instructions of inspector general (IG), Allahabad Range, Mohit Agarwal, police are making announcements (munadis) across the city and villages warning residents against keeping illegal firearms, ammunition and stolen vehicles. Besides, police have also appealed to the residents to assist them in providing clues about criminals.

Although Kunda MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh has allegedly raised objection to the ‘munadis’, police claim to have received a positive response within a few days of implementing the system.

Agarwal and superintendent of police, Pratapgarh, Dev Ranjan Verma recently held a meeting with policemen and instructed them to carry out ‘munadis’ in all police station areas of the district.

As per instructions, two constables on motorcycles in each police station area make announcements warning residents against keeping illegal firearms and stolen vehicles.

The cops also warn that the whole family will be held responsible if a firearm or stolen vehicle is found in any house. Besides sending them to jail, property of the accused and his kin will also be seized, they announce during their rounds.

The cops also request the residents to provide tip-offs about anyone in possession of illegal firearm or stolen vehicles. The name of the informers will be kept secret, police said.

The IG said beat constables and village watchmen have been instructed to identify criminal elements in their areas and keep an eye on their activities. They will also investigate about the source of income of the families of criminals and anti-social elements. Massive search operation will be launched in villages if criminals are found hiding there, Agarwal further said.

Verma said police is receiving massive assistance from the people. On public information, police have recovered over 30 stolen vehicles, 20 country-made pistols and 10 Munger-made automatic pistols. Meanwhile, Raghuraj Pratap Singh held a press conference on Monday alleging that cops were harassing people in the name of taking action against criminals. He said he would raise the issue in the assembly.