Gadaria dacoit gang remains elusive

Gwalior, May 13 (UNI) Dreaded Gadaria dacoit gang, which recently announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh on the head of three police officers, still remains elusive despite the Madhya Pradesh police launching over three dozen operations to eliminate it.

After every failed special operations, the gang, led by brothers Dayaram and Rambabu, emerged stronger as it managed to dodge every attempt to trap them, highly placed police sources said.

Kidnapping for ransom remain the mainstay of the gang's operations in the Chambal valley in Madhya Pradesh and they thrive in the ravines deriving support from the widespread informer network among the villagers.

In a defiant mood, the gang recently sent a letter through a freed hostage announcing reward of Rs 50 lakh on Gwalior range Inspector General of Police, Shivpuri Superintendent of Police and an encounter specialist Inspector.

Sources said nearly three dozen special operations codenamed among others ''Cocoon'', ''Butterfly'', ''Kobra'', 'T-1 Blast'' and ''Naag'' were launched from time to time to neutralise the 'most wanted' gang listed as ''Target One''.

Attempts to block the supply line and to wean away the villagers from the influence of dacoits also failed. Several traps were also laid to gather the gang at a particular spot, but with no success.

Most of the operations ranged from one week to three months. In 'Operation Kobra', two dacoits Veera Dhobi and Pratap Gadaria were neutralised, the sources claimed. Under ''T-1 Blast', it was planned to use a human shield and blow up the gang, the sources added.

In stepped up activities, the Gadaria gang kidnapped for ransom about a dozen passengers of a private bus. All but two were released last week.

UNI MKS-SP YA VP1330