Hyderabad, October 13: The State police has reiterated that it will act tough against those who try to enforce Rail Roko agitation scheduled from October 15 to 17.
Addressing a press conference at the State Police Headquarters here 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 the train services were disrupted in the State. Quoting over a dozen sections of Railways Act, Indian Penal Code and other provisions in the law, the DGP advised the activist 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 number of security personnel belonging to CRPF, RAF, CPMF, BSF, APSP and the State police have been deployed across the region in view of Rail Roko agitation. He said additional forces would be called from the neighbouring States, if required. He also confirmed that 18 companies of Central Reserve Force have been diverted to Hyderabad by the Central Government.
“Ever aspect is being care of. We will provide security to all railways tracks and stations. Policemen will also board the trains, wherever required,” Dinesh Reddy. In collaboration with the South Central Railway, special trains would be operated as dry turn and all vulnerable points in the region have been identified. He also informed that the police has identified the accused involved in a case of removal of fish plates on the track and he has been arrested.
Giving a hint that cases booked under the Railways Act could not be withdrawn, the DGP reminded of 294 cases that were earlier booked under the Railways Act. He said although the State police wanted to withdraw those cases, the Railway Board has rejected the proposal and police is now going ahead with the cases. “We are not mentioning various Sections to threaten the activists or organisers, but to educate them. If we apply the Railways Act, then the common students and people who are participating in the strike would suffer,” he said.
Claimed that the State Police has displayed utmost retrain in dealing with the Telangana agitation, the DGP said that so far, police never booked cases under serious offences and used force to foil protests. “We are not trigger happy, nor lathi happy,” he said adding that
Dinesh Reddy said that everyone in the country has a right to protest, but in a democratic and peaceful manner. “Indian Railway 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 it was unlawful to prevent others from attending to duties and police would action if anyone tries 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 could the activists force them for closure?” he asked.
Additional DG (Law & Order) SA Huda and other senior police officials were also present during the press conference. (INN)