In a massive cordon-and-search operation involving some 400 personnel, the Cyberabad Police here today nabbed five more members of a 'snake gang' which had terrorised the residents of Old City area for the past few months.
The gang members allegedly used snakes to scare the women and sexually assault them. Some of them were also involved in land grabbing, acting as arbitrator between disputing parties, etc, police said.
Last month, Pahadishareef Police arrested seven members of the gang, including its leader Faisal Dayani, a gym instructor, in connection with gang-rape of an 18-year-old girl at a farmhouse in Shaheen Nagar here on July 31. Two others who had given shelter to Dayani were also arrested.
The gang had entered the farmhouse to commit a robbery. They forced the victim to strip by threatening to set a snake on her and then raped her before her fiance, police said.
Five more members of the gang were today arrested after a massive cordon and search operation at Shaheen Nagar today. Besides, 19 others were also taken into custody for 'verification', Cyberabad Police Commissioner C V Anand said.
Habeeb-ul-Rahaman, Shaik Abdulla, Shaik Nayeem, Shaik Abud and Syed Rahath Hussain were arrested today. They allegedly used to tip-off Faisal about movement of couples in isolated places, he said.
Anand appealed other unknown victims of the gang to come forward and file complaints, promising secrecy and protection.
Over 400 police personnel under the supervision of Anand, DCP Ramesh Naidu, Additional DCP Janaki Sharmila and others conducted the operation last night and today wherein every house in Shaheen Nagar was searched.
The police were also looking for other history-sheeters in the area. According to police, some 35 habitual offenders live in the area.
Faisal's brothers too were detained under laws related to cruelty to animals and two horses were seized from their possession, besides some vehicles without original documents.
