Police crack down on gangsters

HYDERABAD: The Rayadurgam police have arrested 18 persons belonging to two rival gangs that were involved in a violent clash in the Khajaguda municipal play grounds in broad daylight on June 30, in which one person was killed.
The clash was the result of an attack on K Shankar Goud, leader of a criminal gang. It was a revenge attempt by the relatives and supporters of Praveen Goud, who was murdered by Shankar in October 2002.
Praveen and Shankar used to work together, dealing in real estate and toddy business.In late 2000, they parted ways following differences. Praveen started dominating in business, following which Shankar bore a grudge against him, which finally led to the murder of Praveen in October 2002. Following the murder, Praveen’s family members were waiting for an opportunity to take revenge.
Ravi Goud, elder brother of Praveen, contacted Shekar, a resident of Indira Nagar,who was also involved in the murder of Jinnaram mandal president, Pratap Reddy. With the help of Shekar, Ravi managed to find several criminals who bore a grudge against Shankar.
On June 30, Ravi along with his gang, attacked Shankar at Khajaguda, while he was attending a meeting of the toddy society. Shankar’s son, Venkatesh, who was also travelling along with him, was carrying an unlicensed.38 calibre revolver. Several members of the Ravi gang suffered injuries while one of them, Surya Mohan Reddy died of bullet injuries.
Police later found out that Shankar obtained the revolver through Yadagiri Rao, the head warden in Chanchalguda jail, whom he met while in remand in connection with a case. Yadagiri introduced Shankar to Anjaiah, lower division clerk in Army Ordinance Corps who sold the revolver for Rs 60,000.
All the arrested persons have been to remanded to judicial custody. Police are on the look out for seven more persons who were also involved in the clashes.