Mundgod: In a bid to curb the rising menace of illegal money lending (meter interest) and anti-social activities in the district, the Uttara Kannada District Police department launched a massive early morning raid in Mundgod on Wednesday.

Following the directions of District Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. and under the leadership of Sirsi DYSP Geetha Patil, teams conducted sudden search operations at the residences of rowdy sheeters and illegal financiers operating under the Mundgod Police Station limits. Armed with court orders, the operation commenced at 7:00 AM, led by Mundgod Police Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, Sub-Inspector Manjunath Gowda, and other station personnel.

A total of 14 houses were extensively searched during the drive. The individuals whose houses were inspected include Kiran Solanki, Manju Navale, Mallikjan alias Zaheer Sheikh, Mahammad Sadiq Ghazipur, Wasimkhan Bendigeri, Maqbul Ahmed Yallur, Madusingh Rajput, Manjunath Hotakar alias Sherkhane, Mahammad Ibrahim alias Rafiq Jamkhandi, Harun Sheikh, Mahammad Yusuf Gadwale, Mahammad Ismail Panawale, Sanju Navale, and Tausif Ahmed Paniband.

The police department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal finance networks in Mundgod following the murder of Zameer Ahmed, a prime accused in a meter interest racket. While several rowdy sheeters were externed from the district recently, this extensive house-search operation marks the second major crackdown, sending a stern warning to those involved in illegal operations. The police department stated that special drives against rowdy sheeters, illegal lenders, and anti-social elements will continue in the coming days.

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