Hydearbad, Decemeber 09: The Andhra Pradesh police has reportedly sounded the Army officials to be ready to step in, if necessary, during the ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme planned by Telangana activists on December 10.
The security arrangements being made to tackle the law and order situation on that day are, perhaps, unheard of in recent years.
Top police sources told Express that, ‘‘If the situation goes out of hand, then the Army will step in. They have been informed about it.’’ The State police today managed to rope in 10 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) besides several platoons of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
‘‘Four companies of the CRPF arrived here by special flights from Bhopal and Nagpur. Five arrived in the evening by air from various States,’’ the sources said.
Over 110 platoons of the AP Special Police will be deployed on December 10.
A majority of the platoons have already been stationed across Telangana.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has already been deployed.
About 15 IPS officers have been given charge of various districts while officials from various units of the State police, including the Anti-Corruption Bureau, CID, APPA, APSP, Greyhounds, Vigilance and Enforcement have already been posted in all Telangana districts.
‘‘The security arrangements are elaborate. Army will be called in if tension escalates,’’ a senior police official said.
Section 144 IPC would be in force on December 9 and 10.
The State government also indicated that it would not hesitate to take severe action even against students in case the situation goes out of control.
‘‘No permission has been sought for the ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme.
Even if they seek permission, it would not be granted in view of the prevailing situation,’’ IGP AR Anuradha said.
It is learnt that the police have been directed to prevent students from reaching Hyderabad.
‘‘Traffic restrictions will be imposed across the city and movement of persons will be restricted near the State Legislative Assembly. People from districts should avoid travelling to Hyderabad on December 10,’’ Anuradha said.
Meanwhile, at a hurriedly called press conference, Hyderabad Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao said there was a possibility of anti-social elements creating trouble during the ‘Chalo Assembly’.
Security was being beefed up in and around the Assembly as the agitators might try to enter the House by breaching the cordon. A senior IPS officer would be supervising the security arrangements there, he said.
He appealed to the people at large not to take part in the programme as they would have to face the risk of arrest.
Replying to a query, Prasada Rao said an Additional DGP rank officer is inquiring into the charges against Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Stephen Ravindra and a report is expected in two days.
–Agencies