Post-Dadua, dacoit Thokia says no to Nokia

In an age so dependent on modern communications, some criminals are reverting to older methods of communication to outwit law enforcement agencies.

In an age so dependent on modern communications, some criminals are reverting to older methods of communication to outwit law enforcement agencies. With mobile phones being the primary giveaway of their movements, a gang in Uttar Pradesh has decided to shun their use and rely instead on messengers.

The new uncrowned kings of the Chambal ravines, Ambika Patel, alias Thokia, and Radhey, have ordered their subordinates to stop using mobile phones say UP police. The two had gone underground after their patron, dreaded dacoit Dadua, was killed on July 22 by the Special Task Force. They believe that the STF had located Dadua through electronic surveillance. Thokia too has been gheroed by the STF and the police twice in recent months because of electronic surveillance.

8220;They never use mobile phones now,8221; said Chitrakoot SP Dr Preetinder Singh. Moreover, they have issued orders in over six villages, cautioning people against using mobiles, say local sources.

Thokia and Radhey became very conscious after an incident at Ranipur. Singh told The Indian Express that the duo were in Ranipur village on Rakshabandhan when someone informed the police. Within two hours, a heavy contingent reached there and both dacoits had to flee. Two days after this incident, the duo beat up residents of the village. While leaving the village, gang members searched the area and recovered three mobile phones, which they destroyed in presence of the entire village. Thokia said whoever uses mobile phones, will face his fury. This diktat has scared the villagers, who are now avoiding the use of mobile phones.

The duo is also identifying informers in the area under Manikpur police station, in Chitrakoot district. In Garhpacha village, Thokia kidnapped one Ram Babu, whom he suspected of being an informer on Thursday. Babu has not been traced since.

The SP said a joint team of the district police, the STF and the MP police have started combing operations in the Patha region. He said that to stop Thokia8217;s gang from moving to Madhya Pradesh, DIG Rewa G R Meena is carrying out combing operations in the Kolahua forest with his team and a strict vigil is being maintained along the MP border.