HYDERABAD: A day after the killers of former naxalite Patlolla Goverdhan Reddy surrendered, police on Friday claimed that the accused have confessed that former Naxal leaders, Nayeem and Seshanna have engaged them to eliminate Goverdhan Reddy. The accused were lured with a good share of land by the duo, police police commissioner AK Khan said.
Nayeem and Seshanna, who were also involved in the killing of IPS officer KS Vyas in the city, had masterminded Patlolla's killing. They lured the five members - Anil alias Nagesh of Ramnagar, M Prasanth Reddy of ECIL Road, Mohammed Ahmed of Chandrayangutta, E Narender of Jeedimetla and K Srinivas of Adilabad to kill Patlolla by offering a good share of land.
According to Khan, Anil is a close associate of Patlolla and was given the task of settling a dispute involving 15 acres in Uppal village. "The dispute was between Challa Chandra Reddy and other GPA holders, Karunakar Rao, Narender Reddy, Vittal Reddy and others. The GPA holders approached Goverdhan Reddy while the other side took the help of Nayeem and Seshanna to resolve the dispute,'' Khan said.
Anil was lured by Nayeem and Seshanna to join hands with them and eliminate Goverdhan Reddy and promised him a good share of land. "Anil who felt that Goverdhan Reddy was not trusting him completely, planned to eliminate him,'' the police said.
Anil and four others joined hands and executed the murder. Khan said Nayeem and Seshanna met Anil personally and the role of the duo is under investigation. ''Though they were not involved in the killing directly, they would also be liable for action. Chandra Reddy will also be taken into custody for questioning,''Khan said. "The land in Uppal, which is in dispute, is guarded by 1520 antisocial elements,'' he said.
Khan apprehended threat to the life of Sridhar Reddy, a key member of Goverdhan Reddy gang, who went missing for the past few days from Medipally police limits. Police recovered three motorcycles and four daggers from the accused.