Hyderabad, June 28: The daring daylight attacks on policemen in two separate incidents in the last seven months have forced the city police to arm its men on
patrolling vehicle, Rakshak, with guns.
Surprisingly, till date the policemen on beat duty and in Rakshaks do not carry even a baton. The attack on two counter intelligence sleuths in Santoshnagar in December last year and the shooting down of a home guard in Falaknuma last month have woken the police to the changing realities in the city that has reportedly become a hub for many criminals and terrorists.
According to sources, assistant sub-inspectors, head constables and other policemen forming a team in Rakshaks have been given carbine Sten gun and 303 rifles.
“Our men attached with Rakshaks were unarmed till now. Given the threat perception we have provided them with weapons to protect themselves and go on the offensive when required,” a senior official in city police told .
There are 60 law and order police stations in the city. All of them have Rakshak teams that patrol the city round the clock, covering mostly the sensitive areas. Each Rakshak team would be allotted at least two weapons, the sources said.
–Agencies