A woman police officer, a Circle Inspector, who was found holding a placard in mufti and sitting along with protestors on Monday supporting the decision of the Telangana government to shift Dharna Chowk, was transferred today.
Violence had broken out near Indira Park during a rally called to protest shifting Dharna Chowk, with opposition parties and TJAC activists clashing with alleged local residents. Many sustained injuries in the clashes and also in the police lathi-charge. The opposition parties accused the government, especially the police, of instigating the violence.
The CI K Sridevi, attached to the Lake Police, was found sitting in mufti holding a placard amidst the protestors supporting the government's decision. When media personnel noticed this and began clicking pictures, the CI quietly walked out and later appeared on the scene in her uniform. This gave credence to the opposition charge that police personnel in mufti had indulged in the violence.
When a hue and cry was raised about this, the top brass of the police initiated damage control steps. As part of the exercise, the woman CI was immediately transferred from Lake Police to the control room of Central Zone.
The police officials also ordered the other police personnel who allegedly participated in the protests in mufti to give their explanations.
Though action was initiated against the woman CI, it definitely put the government in the dock over the opposition's charge that Monday's violent incidents were the handiwork of the administration.