Hyderabad | September 9, 2026
Five murders reported in Hyderabad over the past 10 days have prompted senior police officials to intensify surveillance, vehicle checks and patrolling in isolated and rapidly expanding suburban areas, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
The incidents have raised concerns about the activities of drug peddlers, cellphone snatchers and rowdy sheeters, as well as the effectiveness of surveillance over habitual offenders and other alleged anti-social elements. Police suspect that some of the recent cases may be linked to disputes involving ganja sales and cash transactions.
Senior officials have expressed displeasure over what they described as lax implementation of visible policing measures. Officers have been directed to conduct daily vehicle checks between 5 pm and 8 pm and to identify suspicious people and vehicles. Police teams are also focusing on criminal groups operating in isolated areas on the city’s outskirts, where regular patrolling has been difficult.
The police response will include additional personnel from the Armed Reserve and Telangana Special Police for deployment in remote and vulnerable locations. Officials are also reviewing whether manpower shortages at police stations are affecting routine patrolling in areas that have experienced rapid population and industrial growth.
The reorganisation of Hyderabad’s four commissionerates has brought areas including Rajendranagar and Shamshabad under the city limits. Their expansion, alongside a growing migrant population and increased industrial activity, has added to the policing requirements in suburban locations, the report said.
Police have received complaints about rowdy sheeters and other alleged offenders frequenting hotels, restaurants and deserted stretches after dark in areas including Mailardevpally, Falaknuma, Chandrayangutta, Katedan and Jalpally. Some are allegedly involved in threatening commuters, extortion and attempts to settle land and family disputes through intimidation.
One recent case involved a Nepali national who was allegedly stopped over his cellphone. After he resisted, he was pushed and fell, suffering a fatal head injury after hitting a cement block, according to the report. The circumstances of the case remain subject to the police investigation.
Authorities are now prioritising the identification of habitual offenders, monitoring suspected drug networks and increasing night-time surveillance. The planned deployment of additional personnel is intended to strengthen policing in remote and isolated areas where officials have identified gaps in regular visibility.
