BHIMAVARAM, West Godavari: Fear has gripped villagers in West Godavari district as the 'Injection Psycho' — on the prowl for the last one week — continues to attack unsuspecting people , particularly women. On Sunday he targeted a three-year-old girl , who had to be given immediate medical aid at a local hospital. Just a day before that he attacked an autorickshaw driver , his first male victim.

The unidentified attacker, whom the police suspect to be a psychopath, has so far injected 25 people with some unknown substance that reportedly sends the victims into a state of drowsiness. The police have formed 45 special teams, launching an unprecedented manhunt across Andhra Pradesh.

Doctors are yet to identify the chemical that is injected by the attacker as he does not leave behind the empty syringe. He comes riding a motorcycle, injects the substance into an unsuspecting girl and zooms past even before the victim realises what has happened.

The West Godavari police, however, claimed that the attacker was not injecting any chemical. "The attacker does not use any liquid. The accused pierces his victims with a needle and then flees," said West Godavari SP Bhaskar Bhushan.

Based on clues provided by the victims, the police have released the sketch of the attacker. But undeterred, he struck thrice after the police released his sketch to the media and pasted it on walls across the district. The police have also announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

On Sunday, the ' Injection Psycho ' attacked three-year-old G Harika at Mutyalapalli village in Mogaltur mandal. Ironically, the police teams were conducting searches in villages falling under Tanuku mandal when the attacker sprang a surprise in the neighbouring Mogaltur mandal. Harika was walking on the road along with her parents when he injected her.

The police have instructed all pharmacists in West Godavari district not to sell syringes and needles unless prescribed by a registered medical practitioner. They are also collecting data of former employees in hospitals, pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories in a bid to zero-in on the attacker.

The 'Injection Psycho' first attacked two college students on August 22 at Yandagandi village in Undi mandal. Thereafter, he attacked girls in Nidadavolu, Kovvuru, Bhimavaram, Eluru, Achanta and Palakoderu mandals. None of the victims or eyewitnesses has been able to note down the registration number-plate of the motorcycle.

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Speaking to TOI, SP Bhushan said, "The case is being investigated by a team led by Narsapur DSP Soumya Latha. The team has spoken to all the victims to gather as many details as they can about the attacker. We have set up 25 checkposts in various mandals where we have noticed his movements. We have formed 45 teams to arrest him."

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The police have also asked doctors not to prescribe syringes unless it is absolutely necessary. It has been learnt that police have obtained the list of compounders and male nurses, who resigned recently. A close watch is being kept on them.

Meanwhile, home minister N Chinna Rajappa in a statement on Sunday assured that the `needle man' will be caught soon.

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This is the second time that the police in AP are on the lookout for an alleged psychopath. In 2012, the Guntur police had launched a massive hunt for 'Psycho Samba', who had allegedly stalked women and even killed them. Samba was arrested, but he escaped. 'Psycho Samba' is still out there.