Cops now approachable as lathi policing ends: DGP

The Telangana state police’s approach of setting aside their lathis and counselling the public instead, has gained the confidence of the people, who now visit police stations without fear to seek justice, said Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali on Sunday.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating the new Rachakonda police commissionerate building at Neredmet, the minister said the initiatives of the police have ensured that the public participates in maintaining law and order, while the technology-driven approach of installing CCTV cameras has brought down the crime rate.

Remembering the days of the separate Telangana movement, the minister said, “During the movement, I once saw hundreds of people staging a protest outside a police station, but no one dared to walk inside and talk to policemen regarding the issue. Conditions in the state have now changed, as the police have taken up counselling as a priority instead of picking up a lathi.”

Before addressing the gathering, the minister along with Director General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy and several officers and politicians observed a minute’s silence to honour those who died in the February 14 attack in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.

DGP M. Mahendar Reddy said that the modernisation of police stations and construction of new buildings provides a better work environment for police personnel.

Inviting the public to come forward in installing CCTV cameras, the DGP said, “Safety and security are equal for both rich and poor. When the benefits of the initiative are explained they would happily take part in the initiative.”