Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120555730800.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘State apathetic towards fighting terrorism’

Congress has no concern for people’s lives, says TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu

Chandrababu Naidu seeks details of those arrested till now in the twin blasts in city
‘OCTOPUS chief A.K. Mohanty shifted because he did not toe the Congress line’

HYDERABAD: Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu sought to put the State government in the dock in the Assembly on Thursday accusing it of adopting an apathetic attitude towards combating terrorism

Launching a scathing attack on the government, he referred to the blasts that took place in Mecca Masjid, Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat and wanted to know if anybody involved in them was arrested till now.

Referring to the escape of a terror suspect after he opened fire at a police constable in the city on Wednesday, he said,

“You will dub us as anti-socials if we question how the constable was sent without a weapon to catch a terrorist,” he remarked.

He alleged that A.K. Mohanty, former head of OCTOPUS, the organisation established to deal with terrorist offences, was transferred because he did not toe the government line. The rank of the head of OCTOPUS was also downgraded to that of an IGP because the then DGP did not “listen to you”. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister too acted as they liked and had to go, he reminded the Congress benches.

Mr. Naidu said the Police Commissioners in Hyderabad were transferred four times just because they did not bow to the whims and fancies of the ruling party leaders.

Charge

Charging the Congress with having no concern for protecting people’s lives, he said there was total breakdown of law and order in the State. He said there could not be peace if law and order was not dealt with in an apolitical manner.

The TDP leader also alleged that former Chief Minister M. Channa Reddy had stated in the Assembly that Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had brought people from Kadapa and Vijayawada to create communal riots in the city and topple his government.

At one stage, he alleged that two persons were killed in police firing in Bhainsa during the communal trouble and offered to resign his membership to the Assembly if the government proved otherwise.

As far as terrorism was concerned, he said the TDP was with the Government in combating it and would extend all cooperation.