Andhra Pradesh Government has not imposed restrictions on policemen observing `Ayyappa Deeksha’ while on duty, Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy said today. Talking to reporters here, she said if any senior police officer has issued such instructions, they would be withdrawn. The clarifications came in the wake of reports that DGP’s office had issued orders that no police personnel would follow `Ayyappa Deeksha’, a religious ritual, on duty. Devotees of Swamy Ayyappa observe Deeksha, a period during which they wear black clothes and follow some other rituals as a mark of devotion. Policemen who take deeksha usually come in khakhi uniform but wear a black towel around their neck to indicate they are undertaking the ritual. The Minister also said the Government is recruiting about 40,000 police personnel to augment the force and reduce the workload on the current staff. The recruitment process has already started, she said, adding a sum of Rs 30 crore had been allocated for modernisation of the police department’s infrastructure. On law and order situation in Hyderabad, which recently witnessed violence, she said the state capital remains peaceful. Police will take action as per law against those who indulged in violence in Old City areas and instigated people, the Minister said. They have already identified some anti-social elements who were involved in recent disturbances, Reddy said. Earlier, she visited Kanaka Durga Temple here and offered prayers. PTI
