Students thrilled seeing ‘Penamakuru’ in lesson

Penamakuru, a village in Krishna delta, is part of the social studies textbook-VI prescribed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training. One of the invisible developments registered here was stunning growth in the population density in recent years.

S. Srija, a class VI student of ZP High School, Penamakuru village in Krishna district, mostly loves to read the chapter four of social studies textbook, both at home and at school. “I can read what I see with my naked eyes in the everyday life in my village,” Ms. Srija told The Hindu with eagerness to display the pages of her favourite lesson – ‘Penamakuru – A village in Krishna Delta’ – in the social studies textbook-VI. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT-AP), has included the story of Penamakuru village in the series of ‘Diversity on the Earth’. It narrates the changes witnessed in the agrarian village on several fronts – agriculture, rural economy, modes of ownership of land, livelihood options and diversification of crops on the deltaic land. The SCERT syllabus with the village story was prescribed from the academic year 2012-13 both for Telugu and Enlgish medium, and is being distributed across the state. “I earned recognition in the school as my grandfather and grandmother, bamboo craft artisans, appeared in the lesson in the category of professions existing in our village,” says a class VI student J. Siva Nagaraju. “A drastic change in our lives over the years has made our village one of the ideal villages in the Krishna delta. There was unpredictable changes in crop pattern and growth in agriculture-allied sectors and food production,” Penamakuru Sarpanch (1995-2000) Mareedu Nageswara Rao told The Hindu. The lesson compiled with 14 pictures of the village on various aspects of life and geographical conditions including village map tells a complete tale of all round development of an agrarian pocket in Andhra Pradesh. One of the invisible developments registered here was stunning growth in the population density in recent years. The NCERT had incorporated several questions meant for students to learn from their parents and this method of learning drew interest from the students of the village, where they can have a lively account. 

By Appal Naidu Tippana. 

Shiva Lived a Life of Luxury with Money He Had Stolen

The notorious chain snatcher Kadaluri Shiva (30) alias Sambha, who was shot dead in a shootout with the police near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) late Saturday night, spent stolen money in travelling by air to various places like Goa, Kerala, Delhi and Rajasthan with his wife Nagalakshmi and two sons. The stockily built offender lived a luxurious life. He conducted recees of possible target areas while enjoying a ride on his sports bike or luxury cars. His wife, a receiver, sold the stolen ornaments to needy customers and jewellery shops. Hours after the shootout led by inspector Narasimha Reddy in which Shiva was killed, the Rajendranagar Central Crime Station (CCS) police visited his 3BHK house in Narsingi and were shocked to find luxurious cars and sofa sets. Cyberabad police commissioner CV Anand, who was part of the team that visited Shiva’s house, told Express that Shiva was involved in several chain snatching incidents in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. “His modus operandi was to target a lone lady walking in front of the house in early hours. On the pretext of asking addresses, Shiva snatched chains and fled on his bike,” he added. Disclosing more details, the commissioner said Shiva then handed over the bike to one of his gang members and escaped in his car. It was a method to mislead the police who thought that the offender had escaped on a bike. The chain snatcher told his neighbours that he was a businessman having a transport office with more than 20 trucks plying in his native of Nellore, Vijayawada and Hyderabad. He often shifted his family from one place to another to escape police vigil. Before vacating from a place, he sold the furniture on web portals like OLX and bought new furniture when he rented another house. The Cyberabad police on Saturday took Nagalakshmi and Shiva’s associates -- Jagadessh and Raj Kumar -- into custody.  A requisition was given to the RDO, Chevella for holding an inquest on Shiva’s body as per the guidelines laid down by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). KPHB Residents Celebrate: Meanwhile, the residents of KPHB Phase III erupted in celebrations on learning about Shiva’s death. He had committed a number of offences under the KPHB police station limits. In 2012, the KPHB police had arrested him for chain snatched. He was jailed and later resumed his criminal activities after being released on bail.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Denial of Leave Led to DSP's Suicide?

Was denial of leave the reason for the deputy superintendent of police of Intelligence Security Wing (ISW) to commit suicide by shooting himself with his service revolver? An internal probe conducted by ISW officials is understood have pointed out that an argument took place between the DSP, K Suresh Rao, and his superior on the issue of leave. “Minutes after an argument had taken place with his superior, Rao, who was mentally ill and suffered from a chronic disease, rushed to his chamber and shot himself. The internal probe says higher officials did  not sanction leave due to staff crunch,” sources told Express. Last Friday, Suresh Rao, a resident of Ramanthapur, had gone to his office around 2.30 pm to apply for leave. Before leaving home, he told his wife Rekha that he was going to the office to apply for leave and would return home by evening. Around 4.15 pm, an ISW staffer called up Rekha and informed her that Suresh Rao was admitted to a hospital due to ill health. According to an internal probe, a majority of ISW employees from the rank of Reserve SI to DSP are being coerced by higher officials to do additional work and also on extra days due to staff crunch. As such, Suresh Rao not only suffered from a chronic disease but also came under intense pressure of work. Following the suicide, ISW officials are thinking of holding workshops for the staff on how to overcome stress and depression. This has become essential as a majority of ISW staff have service weapons. Following the probe report, ISW officials have held a review meeting and decided to withdraw guards given to 180 VVIPs and VIPs including MLAs, MLCs and MPs. Besides, an intelligence report says that the VVIPs and VIPs do not have any threat to their lives. Meanwhile, the AP government has permitted CID chief Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao to purchase a weapon such as non-prohibited revolver/pistol from any one of the arms dumps of Andhra Pradesh, subject to usual terms and conditions stipulated by the Union ministry of home affairs. Tirumala Rao, holder of Arms Licence No. 10/Home/2013, applied on February 6, 2013 for permission to buy a weapon. The government acceded to his request on the usual terms and conditions. The conditions include allotment of firearms to eligible categories of persons as indicated in the guidelines issued by the Centre, shall be made to applicants facing an existing threat to their lives in the assessment of the allotting authority, no individual will be entitled to allotment of more than one firearm by any authority during his life time, the particulars of such allotment shall be entered in the licence of the allottee, the allottee should possess a valid licence for possession of a firearm of the category to be allotted, the firearm should be in serviceable condition and contain the name of the manufacturer, distinguishing mark, number etc., and meet other conditions prescribed in the Arms Act and Rules.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

K’taka Help may be Sought to Nab Currency Scam Kingpin

Mobile phones recovered from members of a fake currency circulation gang reportedly had given important leads to Cyberabad police in connection with the gang’s illegal activities. However, gangster Ellam Goud’s mobile phones (two or three numbers) remained switched off after the police conducted the decoy operation. To nab Ellam Goud and his gang members, the Cyberabad police are likely to take assistance from Karnataka police who had earlier nabbed  Ellam Goud in connection with fake notes circulation case.

A day after the decoy operation had been carried out by the police at Shamirpet which resulted in the death of an Armed Reserve (AR) constable P Eswara Rao and injuries to sub-inspector Venkat Reddy who is in a hospital now, the Cyberabad police on Sunday remanded two members of the gang, Raghu and Nandu, in judicial custody. Police will file a petition before the court seeking custody of Nandu and Raghu for questioning them to get more leads regarding gangster Ellam Goud’s illegal activities.Even though Cyberabad police officials were tightlipped on the incident, sources told Express that Ellam Goud and his close associate Srikanth might be holed up somewhere either in Karimnagar or Siddipet or Warangal. To get more leads, as many as five special teams were formed under the direction of Cyberabad police commissioner CV Anand and left for various places. The Cyberabad police teams are understood have recovered mobile phones and data saved in phones from three persons of the gang _ Nandu, Raghu (they were arrested) and Mohammed Mustaffa alias Muzaffar who died in police firing during the decoy operation. On their mobiles, there are hundreds of contact numbers and names of various persons residing in Telangana, Karnataka and Bidar. A special team is investigating thoroughly the case by identifying the persons who were involved in fake currency note circulation with the help of the numbers on the mobile phones. The Cyberabad police are believed to have come to the conclusion that the gang members were operating with the assistance of experts in printing fake Indian currency notes at rented godowns in Karimnagar and Siddipet. After the gang members printed Rs 100 and Rs 500 denomination notes, other gang members used to transport the fake notes to Karnataka, Bidar and some districts in Telangana.  Meanwhile, the SI who was admitted to a corporate hospital with stab injury is undergoing treatment.

Cop Cremated with Police Honours: AR Constable Eswara Rao’s body was taken to his native place in Srikakulam district where the funeral rites were performed with police honours.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Decoy Op Failed Due to Lack of Proper Plan, Failure to Use Arms

Did the decoy operation by a team comprising 12 policemen led by a sub-inspector to nab a three-member notorious gang fail due to lack of proper measures? Hours after the Ellam Goud gang stabbed a constable and SI with sharp weapons, the higher police officials have taken up the issue seriously by forming additional teams to nab the accused while conducting internal inquiry into the failure of decoy operation. Police team allegedly failed to use weapons against the attacking gangsters.Meanwhile, the state government has given permission to a DCP and two DSPs, who have licences, to purchase weapons.In a preliminary probe, the Cyberabad police found that the special police who participated in the decoy operation failed to reach their target due to lack of proper plans and timely use of weapons.The Balanagar DCP A R Srinivas is likely to submit a report to Police Commissioner on the entire decoy operation and its failures. It is also reported the the higher officials asked report why a 12 member police team failed to nab a three member fake currency circulation gang in the operation? Police officials directed the DCPs to ask the Task Force teams to practise weapon use properly before taking up any major task.The government has issued orders giving permission to a DCP and two DSPs to purchase firearms from any of the Arms Dumps. VB Kamalasan Reddy applied to the DGP on February 21 seeking permission to purchase a weapon. Reddy, holder of Arms Licence No.180/Malakpet, was permitted to purchase a confiscated firearm from any one of the Arms Dump, subject to usual terms and conditions stipulated by the Union home ministry. DSPs R Jagadeeswar Reddy (Licence No. 11/156/Cyb/2013) and T Narsing Rao (Licence No. 144/Bowenpally) were permitted to purchase weapons.

Ellam Goud : Ellam Goud, an auto driver, is native of Ismanbad in Siddipet in Medak district. He has a passion for riding Bullet bikes. He used to buy Royal Enfield Bullet bikes and sell them. To enjoy a lavish lifestyle, Goud chose to earn money by circulating fake currency notes. Recently, Karnataka police arrested him and remanded him in Bidar jail. In the jail, Goud met a few persons and formed a gang. After release, he resumed his illegal activities. There are 30 cases registered against him. Srikanth, Nandu, Raghu and Mustaffa are his accomplices. 

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

He Drove Kids Straight into the Jaws of Death

Even long experience may not come to one’s rescue, sometimes. Bikshapathi Goud, who was at the wheel of the Kakatiya Techno School bus drove it straight into the jaws of death, overestimating his driving prowess.

As the bus was new to him, he was yet to get a hang of it. When he took it across the tracks, hoping that it would cross by the time the Nanded Passenger reaches the level crossing, the engine stalled, sealing his own fate and that of the others. The driver, who has vast experience and whose license is valid up to November 28, 2014, was assigned the duty in the new route to pick up students. He did not drive that bus in the past.

“When the bus was in the middle of the track and the train was not very far off, the engine stalled. Bikshapathi Goud frantically tried to rev the engine into life but by then the train was too close and in seconds its rammed into it,” said Deputy Transport Commissioner, Medak district, Mamata Prasad. “The bus is new. It was registered in 2012 and its fitness was certified by officials before the schools reopened. Bikshapathi had a valid license till November 28, 2014. The driver appeared to be new to the vehicle. He might have been over-confident or confused while driving the bus,” Mamata Prasad said. The regular driver of the bus was assigned another route to pickup students. Before Bikshapati took to steering the bus, cleaner Ganesh Goud told him that he would help with route directions. The government railway police who visited the spot said passers-by noticed the students screaming loudly minutes before the mishap. Perhaps, the students might have noticed the train that was approaching the bus which suddenly halted in the middle of track. People rushed to the spot and tried to rescue the children. Nizamabd railway police registered cases under section 304 (A) (negligent driving causing death) and 337 (causing hurt by an act of endangering life or personal safety of others) of IPC, and sections 153 and 161 of the Railway Act. Meanwhile, the Telangana government accused the railways of negligence in setting up a gate at the crossing. Additional Director General of Police, CID, T Krishna Prasad, who visited the spot, said the railways has constructed a room at the crossing, but no one was posted there. Krishna Prasad that they would take up the case if the government entrusts it to them.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com