Police responsible for dacoity menace: Malkhan

Bhopal, Jan 12 (UNI) Surrendered dacoit chieftain Malkhan Singh has held the police responsible for the dacoity menace in the Chambal valley and said more youth would join the rank of rebels if bogus encounters and cases were left unchecked.

Citing an instance, Malkhan Singh, who had surrendered before then Chief Minister Arjun Singh in 1982, told UNI here today that police had recently claimed to have shot at dacoit leader Rambabu Gadaria. But the question arises why his body has not been recovered so far.

''It was no secret that police personnel tried to claim commendation even for fake encounters and its adverse impact was also felt'', he said.

Replying to a question, the surrendered dacoit said Rambabu-Dayaram Gadaria gang seemed to be the last dacoit gang in the Chambal valley. However, he said, at present gangsters indulging in kidnapping for ransom were operating as dacoits.

Along with local people, those from neighbouring states were also involved in kidnapping and police also extended help to them directly or indirectly, Malkhan Singh said.

Referring to his surrender, Malkhan Singh said the government had not fulfilled the promises made to him before the surrender. He had to face a hard time during his trial in various offences registered in Uttar Pradesh, he added.

UNI