Andhra Pradesh

Major combing in Nallamala denied

By Our Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM, APRIL 9. The Director-General of Police, Swaranjit Sen, said here today that the proposed tribal battalion was not intended to use tribals in the fight against the Maoists. He denied reports that the tribal battalion idea had been dropped. The Government was looking into it.

Addressing a news conference, Mr. Sen said the Police Department had sufficient forces to combat the naxalite menace and it would not require the services of tribals in any way.

The DGP said the search for naxalites would continue as long as they continued to pose threat to law and order.

He denied any major combing operations in the Nallamala forests and said police would continue efforts to arrest those responsible for the Vempenta killings.

Mr. Sen said the counselling exercise taken up by the police helped in weaning back a good number of youth from naxalite groups.

Recruitment soon

He said the department would soon set in motion the process for recruiting some 2, 400 constables. Moves were afoot for strengthening the Maithri Sanghams and to put them back into action in all districts. On the fate of police PROs, he said he was not happy with the functioning of the public relations wing. Steps were under way to put an effective system in place.

Earlier, the DGP inaugurated a police station building constructed at a cost of Rs. 15 lakhs at Kusumanchi. Speaking on the occasion, he said the Kusumanchi police who emerged first in community policing in the district, could give their station the status of the first Praja Police station in the State.

He wanted policemen to foster better relations with the public and expose "praja courts" being conducted by the Maoists.

The Warangal IG, Esh Kumar, the Waragal DIG, B. L Meena, the District Judge, P. Jagannadhga Rao, and others were present.

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