DGP V Dinesh Reddy has said that the police would book cases against protestors under the Railways Act and other serious offences if train services are disrupted.
The state police has reiterated that it will act tough against those who try to enforce the rail roko agitation scheduled for 15-17 October.
Addressing a press conference at the State Police Headquarters in Hyderabad on Thursday, Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy said that the police would book cases under the Railways Act and other serious offences if train services are disrupted.
Quoting over a dozen sections of the Railways Act, the Indian Penal Code and other provisions in the law, the DGP said that he was advising activists to restrain from participating in the agitation.
"This time we will apply the Railways Act of 1989. All offences under the Act are non-bailable, and the punishments vary from 10 years to life imprisonment," the DGP said.
Without disclosing the figures, the DGP said that enough security personnel from CRPF, RAF, CPMF, BSF, APSP and the state police have been deployed across the region in view of the rail roko.
He said that additional forces would be called from the neighbouring states, if required. He also confirmed that 18 companies of the Central Reserve Force have been diverted to Hyderabad by the Central government.
"Ever aspect is being care of. We will provide security to all railway tracks and stations. Policemen will also board the trains, wherever required," said Dinesh Reddy.
Special trains would be operated in collaboration with the South Central Railway, as all vulnerable points in the region have been identified.
He also said that the police have identified the accused involved in a case of removal of fish plates on the track, and that he has been arrested.
Hinting that cases booked under the Railways Act could not be withdrawn, the DGP said that 294 cases were earlier booked under the Railways Act. He said that although the state police wanted to withdraw those cases, the Railway Board rejected the proposal, and that the police is now going ahead with the cases.
"Our mention of various Sections is not to threaten the activists or organisers, but to educate them. If we apply the Railways Act, then common students and people participating in the strike would suffer as well," he said.
Claimed that the state police has displayed utmost retraint in dealing with the Telangana agitation, the DGP said that so far, the police have never booked cases under serious offences, and that they were only using force to foil protests.
Dinesh Reddy said that everyone in the country has a right to protest, but in a democratic and peaceful manner.
"Indian Railways is the lifeline between the north and south India. I appeal to them (Telangana activists) to defer the strike and come to us, and we will show them the way to protest. You have a right to agitate, but without creating problems for others," he said.
Regarding the RTC strike, the DGP advised unions not to prevent the drivers, conductors and other staff from joining the duties. He said that it is unlawful to prevent others from attending to duties. He added that the police would take action on anyone trying to enforce the strike on others.
Similarly, he warned of serious action against those trying to close educational institutions.
"When parents and managements want the schools to run, how can the activists force them for closure?" he asked.
Additional DG (Law & Order) S A Huda and other senior police officials were also present during the press conference. (INN)