close_game
close_game

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Peaceful elections in Naugachia a big challenge

Bhagalpur | By
Mar 18, 2019 01:48 AM IST

Sources said that there were nearly half-dozen organised criminal gangs active in the area. Out of total 500 poll booths in the sub-division, 32 booths are located in the relatively tough diara terrain.

Conducting peaceful elections in the diara area of Naugachia sub-division would be a major challenge for the Bhagalpur police. Though the guns have fallen silent over the past few years in this district, criminals continue to operate from behind the bars. Some continue to escape arrest and are running criminal gangs.

Conducting peaceful elections in the diara area of Naugachia sub-division would be a major challenge for the Bhagalpur police.(AFP)
Conducting peaceful elections in the diara area of Naugachia sub-division would be a major challenge for the Bhagalpur police.(AFP)

Geographically located between Ganga and Kosi, the Naugachia sub-division comprises the vast diara area. The location of the sub-division is said to be one of the reasons behind the growth of crime, as many areas are inaccessible and don’t have motorable roads.

Sources said that there were nearly half-dozen organised criminal gangs active in the area. Out of total 500 poll booths in the sub-division, 32 booths are located in the relatively tough diara terrain.

District magistrate Pranav Kumar recently convened a meeting in the sub-division headquarters to discuss election preparations and steps to be taken to hold trouble free polls in the diara terrain.

After the meeting, Nidhi Rani, Naugachia’s superintendent of police (SP) said deployment of paramilitary forces in all the booths located in diara terrain was a priority. Patrolling would be done by mounted police and security in the river area would be increased.

The SP claimed kingpins of almost all the criminal gangs were lodged in jail except Sabnam Yadav. Efforts were on to arrest him.

Discussing measures to tighten the noose around criminals, she said two criminals lodged in the sub-division jail have been shifted to Buxar central jail. “A proposal has been sent to shift another six criminals from the sub-division jail to Bhagalpur central jail.”

The SP said the Crime Control Act (CCA) proposals have been submitted against 50 criminals so far. “At least 16 had already been served notices and the district magistrate has conducted hearings against 10 criminals.”

In Naugachia, hostilities between Moti Yadav and Kumudi Yadav gangs have led to a number of criminal incidents in the past. Both Moti and Kumudi are presently in jail. While Kumudi has been shifted to Buxar central jail, the proposal of shifting Moti Yadav to Bhagalpur central jail is under consideration.

The area of activity of gangs led by Moti and Kumudi Yadav mainly comes under jurisdiction of river police station in Gopalpur, Naugachia and Rangra blocks of the sub-division. Sabnam Yadav, who controls the fertile tract of Kosi diara, is still at large and his area of operation extends mainly in Bihpur and Bhawanipur blocks.

Pravendra Bharati, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) said Sabnam often escapes to areas falling under Phulaut and Ratwara police station across Kosi in Madhepura district.

Bharati also said that a joint operation would soon be conducted by Madhepura and Naugachia police to nab Sabnam.

rec-icon Recommended Topics
See More
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, February 07, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On