Mau cops launch crackdownon Mukhtar gang, corruption

VARANASI: Mau district district administration and police have initiated action against mafia involved in various wrongdoings as mafia involvement in the irregularities in various sectors were exposed in the last one week.
Police are cracking down on extortion, slaughter house and fishery mafia allegedly enjoying the patronage of jailed mafia don-turned-MLA Mukhtar Ansari.The district administration has targeted corruption in education department and land mafia which grew in last two decades.
A woman Rambha Pandey, was booked for using documents of one Mamta Rai to secured the job of primary teacher.
Besides, large scale irregularities were detected in compensation payments for land acquired for highway and other projects.
Fake appointment
Just like 25 Anamika Shuklas were found working in government schools, one Rambha Pandey was found teaching at Mubarakpur primary school in Ratanpura block in the name of Mamta Pandey.
Mau DM Gyan Prakash Tripathi told TOI, “Rambha Pandey, a native of Bachhabar, Ballia, joined in Mau on basis of a transfer letter issued from Maharajganj district in 2000. When the basic education department officials contacted Bachhbar village head, her real identity was confirmed. She was served a notice, but she absconded instead of filing reply.”
SP Mau Anurag Arya said an FIR has been lodged against Pandey and she will be arrested soon.
Terminated teachers booked
DM Mau issued orders to book 64 teachers, who had been terminated for using fake documents to secure jobs, as they did not deposit the salary drawn during the service period.
Tripathi said, “Before I assumed charge in 2019, as many as 32 teachers had been terminated. 32 more were sacked last year as they also used fake documents. They had been served notice to deposit the salary of their service period. The total amount to be recovered is Rs 6 crore. They will be booked under Gangster Act and their properties would be confiscated.”
Police investigation will reveal the names of staff involved in the fraud, he added.
Irregularities in land acquisition
The role of 70 clerks is being probed for irregularities in payment of compensation to farmers whose land was acquired for highway and other projects.
Tripathi said, “Investigation was conducted and even call details of clerks in special land acquisition office were checked. It was found that compensation was paid against fake names while bribe was extorted from farmers.”
The files containing documents of payments are missing. Teams have been formed to probe the role of 70 clerks, he added.
Anomalies in road construction
Irregularities were detected in construction of link road in Kamrava village of Ranipur block. DM terminated additional programme officer of MNREGS, Aslam Parvez, technical assistant Ajay Kumar and gram rozgar sevak Manju Devi and an FIR has been lodged against them. The block development officer Jayesh Kumar had been issued showcause notice.
Land grabbing
A probe was ordered after a pond in front of district hospital was grabbed by land sharks and illegal construction started on it.
Investigation officer and tehsildar Sadar, P C Srivastava submitted his report exposing the names of encroachers.
An FIR was registered on June 17 against 15 persons, including a former executive of nagar palika and former chairman.
Earlier in January, an FIR was registered against 60 persons for grabbing 5 acre pond in Jahangirabad, Dakshintola.
Officials said, there were reports that Mukhtar was involved. Investigation is still in progress and he will be booked if his involvement comes to light.
Mukhtar gang on cops’ radar
Mau police has launched a crackdown on people associated with Mukhtar Ansari, though his henchmen were on target for many months.
In last five days, cops booked 11 henchmen of Mukhtar under Gangster Act and busted an illegal slaughter house. Police arrested five men and announced a cash reward on three others. Mukhtar’s three men involved in illegal trade of fish were arrested Saturday with over 10 tonne of fish.
SP Mau Anurag Arya said, “On January 8, Rs 25,000 cash rewards had been announced on Anuj Kanojia and Ramu Mallah of Ghazipur. Both are shooters of Mukhtar gang.”
Police also registered a case against Mukhtar for issuance of arms licences to four persons, including a criminal gunned down in encounter, on recommendation on his letter head.