Alarming rise in instances of criminals coming from the neighbouring state to take shelter in various cities including the state capital, in recent past, has given sleepless nights to Uttarakhand police. Despite all its efforts, state failed to break the jinx that resulted in increased crime incidents. Now, there is a fresh strategy to tear down the jinx.
According to highly placed sources, special Task Force (STF) has charted out the strategy and started working on to track down the criminals from adjoining state Uttar Pradesh. STF sleuths are in constant touch with the intelligence unit of UP, Haryana and Punjab. Apart from it, they are gathering inputs from intelligence units also.
Senior officials accept that breaking the alarming trend is an uphill task since tracking movement of criminals, who frequently change their locations and identity, is not easily possible. They also change their modus operandi very often. STF sleuths also have got inputs that criminals live in the state in guise of traders and contractors.
The STF sleuths also keep an eye on the people who during their fortnight stay in the state change their locations very often. STF has also enhanced its movement across the state and asked its units functioning in the districts to be extra vigilant in bordering areas, including Haldwani, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) STF Senthil Akdai Krishanraj S said, "We are taking measures to curb the deadly trend. As part of the strategy, STF is working on different lines to demolish the trend that has increased during last few months. Efforts will yield desired results very soon. In some cases, STF has already got success."
The SSP claims that several hardcore criminals were arrested in recent past following efforts by the STF. The STF sleuths work in the coordination with police and also seek help of their counterparts when required in order to expose the criminals, taking shelter in the state after committing crimes in neighbouring areas. He also accepts that the breaking the trend is really a tough task for several reasons. But it doesn't mean that it is impossible.
Sources said that STF is also keeping an eye on tenants living in posh areas here. Working in this direction, it also gathered inputs about some tenants who very often visit neighbouring states after spending a week or fortnight in the hired accommodations.
The STF has further intensified its move after arrest of dreaded criminal from Bihar on Thursday in Dehradun and three accused, who allegedly were involved in a shootout in the city, from Uttar Pradesh around three weeks ago.