No permission, asserts Director General of Police

Eluru: Director General of Police (DGP) N Sambasiva Rao stated in no uncertain terms that no permission would be accorded to padayatra proposed by Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham. “We have decided to deny permission in wake of violence during his previous public meet,” he informed.

The DGP conducted a review meeting with IG, DIG and SPs at DIG office here on Thursday. Later, addressing a press conference, he appealed people and youth to not to extend their solidarity or participate in the padayatra. “We will take action agnst those who support the padayatra as well,” he asserted and sought to advice the parents to not to allow their children to take part in such movements.

Highlights:

• Cites violence in previous meeting as a reason
• Appeals youth against participating in padayatra
• Warns leaders against provoking sentiments in Garagaparru

“Parents have to be alert during these agitations, Last year, the Tuni incident in which large scale violence broke out led to curfew,” he cautioned.

Stating that police would not keep quiet, if law and order gets disturbed. “If padayatras or agitations do not provoke the violence, we have no objection. However, the past experiences show the incidents of violence under the guise of the agitations,” he averred.

Replying to a question on not allowing visitors to Garagaparru, the DGP says, “We have to restore normalcy in the village, so no permission is given to conduct public meetings. There is no problem to show sympathy to the victims. However, every day a procession, meetings are conducted by outsiders. Many leaders visited Garagaparru and consoled the victims, we did not object them.” Rao also warned leaders of various parties against provoking people in the village.

He quipped that theft case in Vijayawada in which gold worth Rs 1 kg was stolen as handiwork of Maharashtra Gang. “The conducted a recce. We suspect of local people helping the gang, we will nab them soon,” he vowed.

Admitting that ganja cultivation is going unabated in Visakha Agency and border areas, he promised to speed up investigation, to find out, who was behind the operation. “We will arrest the accused within two-three months,” he asserted and in the same breath warned erring police officers that any instances of being hand-in-glove with smugglers would be dealt with iron fist.

Additional DG Harikumar Gupta, IG Viswajit, Eluru range DIG PVS Ramakrishna, SPs M Raviprakash, Vishal Gunni, Rajakumari were also present.