Police To Foil Telangana Rail Roko

Issuing a stern warning that violence of any nature will not be tolerated, the Andhra Pradesh police said that anyone indulging in sabotage, disruption of train services or any act that poses threat to law and order will be dealt with an iron hand.

Briefing media persons in Hyderabad on Monday about the security arrangements being made in view of the 3-day rail roko call given by the Telangana Joint Action Committee and set to begin on 12 October, senior police officials reiterated that the state police, the Railway Protection Force and other security agencies have been deployed in appropriate numbers to foil the agitation.

Appealing for peace, Additional DGP (Law & Order) and spokesperson S A Huda said stern action would be taken against those who try to enforce the rail roko in the Telangana region.

He quoted over a dozen sections under the Railway Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Prevent Of Damage To Public Property Act, any of which could be applied if Telangana activists try to disrupt rail services.

However, Huda refused to divulge details of forces deployed in the region, citing security reasons. He said that sensitive and trouble-prone areas have been identified, and that the forces were capable of handling any kind of situation.

Addl. DG of Railway Protection Force V S Kaumidi said that no kind of inconvenience to passengers or damage to public property would be tolerated.

He said that stern action would be taken, especially against organisers of such acts. He said that action will be taken even if a single bolt of the railways is damaged.

Chief Safety Commissioner of South Central Railway B Mohan assured passengers of complete security during their journeys and at all railway stations in the Telangana region. He said that any damage to the Railways' property would be a national loss, and that therefore, the Telangana activists must avoid indulging in violent acts.

Regarding the Maoists' Bharat Bandh on 12 October, Huda said that its impact would be confined to the border areas, and that urban areas would not be affected.

On being asked as to why politicians were being spared while cases were being booked against Telangana students, Huda said that no one was being spared and that action would be taken at an appropriate time. He also assured people of elaborate security during the Group-II examinations starting from 15 October.

Anuradha, IG (Intelligence) was also present in the media conference. (INN)