CM reviews law & order in capital; asks police to act tough

Hyderabad, March 31:The Chief Minister Mr. K Rosaiah today reviewed the situation in the curfew bound areas in Hyderabad City and directed the police to deal with the situation firmly and restore normality.

The Home Minister Ms. Sabita Indra Reddy, Information and Public Relations Minister Dr. J Geetha Reddy, Ministers from the City, Mr. Danam Nagender and Mr. Mukesh Goud were present. The Top police officers including the Director General of Police Mr. Girish Kumar, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) and Law and Order, the Collector of Hyderabad and GHMC officials also attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister asked the police to review the ground situation and relax curfew in as many areas as possible to mitigate the sufferings of the common people. He firmly told the police top brass that all the flags, which were the root cause of tension between the two communities, should be removed immediately in all over the city. He reportedly told them that there should be at least two hour relaxation of curfew in places where it was imposed either on Sunday or Monday. In the areas where the curfew was imposed on Tuesday, it should be relaxed on Thursday.

The Police officials reportedly told the Chief Minister that it would be better to continue the curfew until the Friday prayers were over, to prevent further escalation of tension. The Chief Minister reportedly told them to review the ground situation and act accordingly. The Chief Minister directed the CID and Intelligence departments to thoroughly investigate the root causes for the communal flare up and find out if there were any forces inimical to the government behind the carnage.

Briefing the media after the review meeting, Ms. Sabita Indra Reddy said the situation was under control and there were no new incidents since last night. She said already 183 people were rounded up for involvement in the riots and arrests were still continuing. Ms. Sabita Reddy said those indulged in rioting and stone pelting during the procession of Hanuman Jayanti organized by the Bajarang Dal were identified and some of them were arrested and others would be nabbed shortly. She warned that the rioters and those behind them would be dealt with sternly.

She refused to comment on the reports about some forces inimical to the present government were behind the carnage and said investigation was going on and those found guilty would be punished severely. She refuted the criticism that there was police failure to control the processions of Hanuman Jayanti and said organizers of the processions violated the conditions imposed while giving permission. She asserted that there were enough forces to control the situation.

The Home Minister said the Chief Minister has directed the Hyderabad Collector and GHMC officials to supply enough milk and other essential commodities to the people in the curfew bound areas. He also directed the GHMC officials to take steps to supply enough drinking water. She appealed to the people to co-operate with the police bring the situation back to normality. (NSS)