SKC Report: Security net tightened across state

The first sure sign that the rumours which had been floating since early morning that the the Srikrishna Committee would be submitting its report on the future of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, a day ahead of the deadline give to it, was visible tightening of security across the state, particularly in sensitive areas of Hyderabad.

The Paramilitary Forces which were asked for by the government to ward of any untoward incidents in the aftermath of the Report’s submission were asked to stand by and be alert. In Hyderabad, these forces were stationed at Amberpet Central Police Lines to deal with any student unrest in Osmania University, the nerve centre of the agitation for Telangana state.

The personnel are part of the about 25 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which have been ordered to maintain peace and ensure calm in and around Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Ranga Reddy district. 

These 25 companies are themselves part of the about 50 companies deployed across the state, most of them in the Telangana region.

The state government had earlier asked for about 120 companies but the Centre had dispatched the 50 companies, with the assurance that 50 companies will be dispatched if the situation so demanded.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had reviewed the law and order situation with state Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy, Director General of Police Aravinda Rao and other senior police officials in a crucial Cabinet meeting.

He had asked Ministers and all Congress members not to make any statements on the Justice Srikrishna Commission Report and help the government to maintain law and order. The party High Command had also issued a gag order on its members, ‘strictly’ warning them not to shoot off their thoughts.

The Chief Minister has also asked Director General of Police K Aravinda Rao to take all precautionary measures to maintain peace and law and order in view of the violent incidents of last year.