LIST OF CRIMINALS TO BE UPDATED: ACTIVITIES OF AIDES, HENCHMEN UNDER SCANNER

PRAYAGRAJ: The district police have started preparations for updating the list of criminals, including land and mining mafias, and illegal liquor traders. At present, the police’s focus is on those henchmen of mafia who remained untouched during the earlier drives but cases have been registered against them recently.

“Now their names will also be included in the list of active members of gangs for taking further action against them. Sand mafias in the district may have become active again after the tender for sand mining has been invited. Strict vigil is being kept on them and earlier actions against them are being reviewed,” said a police official.

Last year, police had prepared a list of 60 mafia, which included names of former MP Atiq Ahmad, former block chairman Dilip Mishra, corporator Bachha Pasi, history sheeters Rajesh Yadav, Pappu Ganjia and other criminals. Properties worth several crores were attached or seized and dozens of residential and commercial buildings owned by them were demolished across the district.

However, once the police stopped the drive many criminals and henchmen of mafia became active again.

According to police officials, it has come to the fore during investigations that some of Atiq’s henchmen are still active in illegal real estate business and even involved in extortion and land grabbing. Cases were also registered against two of them recently.

On Thursday, a photograph also went viral on social media platforms in which around a dozen persons can be seen with firearms. It is alleged that the people in the photograph were henchmen of former MP Atiq Ahmad and many do not have gun licences in their name.

“Police have started investigations about the photograph and are identifying the persons seen in it. We are continuously keeping an eye on henchmen of mafias and their activities. Further action will be taken on the basis of reports received,” said the police official.

THE POLICE FOCUS IS ON THOSE WHO REMAINED UNTOUCHED DURING EARLIER DRIVES