More cops rushed to Seemandhra

In view of intensified widespread agitations against bifurcation, Centre is learnt to have sent a total of 40 companies of personnel to be deployed in different parts of both Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. According to sources, 40 companies from Central government and 30 companies of both Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) and Armed Reserve (AR) will be deployed in order to control the agitations across the two regions.

The companies have been directed to pacify the agitators. They are not allowed to open fire against the protestors, said a source. The top police officials of the different districts are directed to control protests by not resorting to firing. The agitators will be arrested when violated restrictions. These companies are going to be deployed in Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Guntur, Vishakhapatnam and Krishna districts.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) V Dinesh Reddy, in a press statement, cautioned the agitators not to indulge in vandalism of national leaders’ statues while protesting. The instances of vandalism will be dealt sternly, warned the DGP. “As long as it (agitations) is well within the democratic process no one will have any objection," he stated. Opining it was highly ‘objectionable and unbecoming’ to indulge in vandalism, the top cop said that such persons and those behind the acts would be dealt with very seriously.

It may be recalled that the statues of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were damaged allegedly by the supporters of united state, in different parts of Andhra and particularly in Anantapur district on Aug 1 and 2.