DGP allays Parthi gang fears

Vijayawada: Director General of Police (DGP) M Malakondaiah on Thursday made it clear there is no sign or proof of notorious Parthi gang moving in the state.  Addressing media at the state police headquarters at Mangalagiri, the DGP expressed serious concern over the reports of mob attacks taking place in the name of Parthi gang in some parts of the state.

Stating that the circulation of fake messages, videos and images on WhatsApp about the child kidnappers were creating panic among people in many villages, he categorically made it clear those who are uploading fake videos will be dealt sternly as per the law and appealed to people not to believe such fake videos. Stating attacking innocent people in the name of Parthi gang across the state is an offence, he said people must inform to police if they suspect the movement of any unknown person in their area. 

He said five cases of mob beating were reported in Chittoor district alone and some locals were arrested for beating the people and circulating fake videos. One person was mercilessly beaten up in Vizag and another woman was beaten up in Repalle of Guntur district merely on suspicion of child lifting, the DGP said and added in most cases the victims were insane people, who could not answer clearly to questions asked by local villagers. “They were mercilessly beaten up by local villagers on suspicion of being child lifters,” he added.

He said one or two Parthi gangs were in Prakasam district but the police sent them to Akola in Maharashtra in November 2017 and some others were in jail.  The DGP said a leader of Parthi gang died and police are keeping surveillance on the movements of other gang members who are living in Maharashtra and other areas.  

Appealing people not to circulate fake videos or photos in social media, the DGP said the state police are working in coordination with the Railway Protection Force to check mob attacks and to protect the innocent people from being attacked on suspicion of child kidnappers.

He said the police are trying to create awareness about the circulation of fake videos and images about the criminal gangs and officials are visiting the villages in this regard.