Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chinna Rajappa promised to give protection to two realtors from the city who were allegedly threatened by a local gang, supposedly affiliated to red sanders smuggler Gangi Reddy.

Two realtors Gottumukkala Gopala Raju and Panchakarla Srinivas were reportedly threatened by Karri Veeraju.

According to reports, Gopala Raju who owns about 17 acres of land at JR Nagar Layout near Venkojipalem had given the land to Srinivas for development. However, as work was about to begin, Veeraju allegedly threatened Srinivas with dire consequences and claimed that the land was his ancestral property. Subsequently, Srinivas lodged a complaint with the Three Town police (MVP zone) and Veeraju and eight others were arrested and released on bail. Veeraju later filed a case in the court and the Judge had ordered that status quo be maintained on the property.

Sources in the police say that Veeraju is an acquaintance of Gangi Reddy and was involved in land grabbing on the latter’s behalf in the city.

Gangi Reddy, apart from being a red sanders smuggler, was one of the 33 accused in the claymore mine blast in Alipiri that was triggered by the Maoists on N. Chandrababu Naidu in 2003. He had allegedly helped the Naxals in carrying out the attack on Mr. Naidu when he was on his way to Tirumala. However, Gangi Reddy was later acquitted in the case.

The realtors met the Home Minister here on Monday and asked for protection and the latter promised to direct the cops to provide protection and as well as take action against the Veeraju gang.