Police ‘prepared’ for Assembly, sectt fete

● EVEN AS police claim that they are prepared for a smooth conduct of the events, they have heightened vigil and are gathering inputs from the intelligence wing going by the massive VRAS ‘chalo Assembly’ protest during the previous session.

With a series of events lined up in the city starting with the commencement of the Budget session on February 3 till the inauguration of the new Secretariat complex on February 17, the state and city police are gearing up for a hectic schedule.

Even as they claim that they are prepared for a smooth conduct of the events, they have heightened vigil and are gathering inputs from the intelligence wing going by the massive VRAS ‘chalo Assembly’ protest during the previous session.

The Chalo Assembly protest last September by thousands of VRAS from across the state, exposed how ill-prepared the police was in handling such massive protests, which were called off after favourable assurances from the government. As the government is yet to honour its word, the VRAS are back on the warpath.

The only relief to the police is that aspirants for the police force have withdrawn protests in view of the government's announcement to add marks as per high court orders. Several attempts to lay siege to Pragati Bhavan have put police on their toes.

However, there still is a threat as police aspirants who qualified in the running events are continuing their protests demanding that they be declared eligible for the mains.

They have given a call to lay seize the Assembly premises if the state government does not make an announcement before the session.

“Additional forces from districts have been mobilised for bandobast duty during the entire budget session. A tight vigil is being maintained on all potential troublemakers. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating prohibitory orders,” said the once bitten twice shy city police officials.

Meanwhile, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city is slated for February 13, the state government and the police department have not received any official communication from the PMO and SPG.

“Even if the visit is confirmed, we are ready to provide adequate security in coordination with SPG and other security agencies,” maintained officials.

Speaking about the new secretariat inaugural, which will be graced by chief ministers from Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand and several national leaders, officials pointed out at the successful bandobast for the massive event in Khammam, which had chief ministers from three states apart from K. Chandrashekar Rao in attendance, some days back.