HYDERABAD: The men in khaki seem to be under watch by men of their own. Following ‘surveillance’, previous records and information from ‘own sources’, a tentative list prepared with names of lower rung policemen, suspected to be involved in collection of mammools, has led DGP M Mahendar Reddy to issue instructions to SPs and police commissioners to end the menace of mamools. The communication, meant for internal circulation among IPS officers, found its way to the media on Thursday.
Names of as many as 391 police personnel from across the State, ranging from home guard and police constable to head constable, assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors have figured in the list. Suryapet district topped the list with as many as 40 policemen. While 11 policemen from Hyderabad figured in the list, 13 from Cyberabad and 24 from Rachakonda made it to the list.
Responding to e-mail communication, a senior police officer requesting anonymity said: “asking policemen to keep watch on other policemen and their activities could lead to creating an atmosphere of distrust.”
The e-mail directed all district police chiefs and commissioners of police to put an end to “the menace of organised collection of mamools at all levels by attaching them to the AR headquarters concerned with immediate effect wherever they haven’t discontinued the practice.”However, the e-mail says “the list is only indicative but not exhaustive. The list will also be dynamic as you start attaching the incorrigible to the AR headquarters.” Another officer asked: “Is it even possible to keep a vigil on the activities of policemen apart from performing our regular duties?”
ADGP (Law and Order), Jitender, when contacted, said that all these names are only policemen who are under suspicion. But, senior police officials have asked the Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police to keep a close vigil on these suspected policemen by transferring or taking proper action, he said. Hours after the message was circulated on social media, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissioners V C Sajjanar and Mahesh M Bhagwat have asked the owners of hotels, restaurants, wine shops, bars, business establishments, gaming zones, pubs, parlours not to give ‘mamools’ to policemen. Public have been asked to call police control room to report about policemen collecting mamools.