HYDERABAD: Ahead of the proposed rail roko, 18 more companies of the Central Reserve Paramilitary Force (CRPF) were being rushed to the state to thwart any attempt by the agitators to block rail traffic.Even as Telangana protagonists were gearing up for the three-day rail roko starting October 15, the state police once again reiterated that the agitators would be dealt with severely and appealed them to call off the protest.“The Railway Board, state government and the Centre are particular that the rail roko should not be allowed and it won’t be tolerated,’’ director general of police V Dinesh Reddy told reporters here on Thursday.Blocking trains is inhumane and outrageous, he said.According to the DGP, the Union home ministry had agreed to dispatch 18 more companies of the CRPF from Jammu and Kashmir.The fresh reinforcements were in addition to ITBP, BSF, RAF, APSP and other forces.He said additional forces would be called from the neighbouring states, if required.Replying to a query, Dinesh Reddy said security arrangements were made after a request from the railway authorities.“For the first time, the director general of RPF came to the city to discuss about the security measures.To another query of railway authorities reluctance to run trains, Dinesh Reddy said railways were playing it safe.“Several trains are running.Only some have been diverted,’’ he tried to explain.“Unlike in the earlier cases where the agitators were taken into preventive custody and let off, this time we will apply the Railways Act.All offences under the Act are non-bailable and the punishments vary from 10 years to life imprisonment,” the DGP said.He also informed that the police has identified the accused involved in a case of removal of fish plates at Manuguru and he has been arrested.‘’Ever aspect is being care of.We will provide security to all railways tracks and stations.Policemen will also board the trains, wherever required,” he said.Dinesh Reddy said not only the agitators but those who incite would be booked.“Some leaders have been threatening to bring crores of people and block tracks with bullock carts and organise ‘vanta varpu’ on the tracks.That is enough for us to take action.We have enough documentary evidence and video footage to make them liable,’’ the DGP said.Asked about the Congress MPs’ statement that they too would join the rail roko, Dinesh Reddy said no one is above law and everyone would be treated equally.Dinesh Reddy said that everyone in the country has a right to protest, but in a democratic and peaceful manner.Regarding the RTC strike, the DGP advised unions not to prevent the drivers, conductors and other staff from joining the duties.He said it was unlawful to prevent others from attending to duties and police would take action if anyone tries to enforce the strike on others.Similarly, he warned of serious action against those trying to close educational institutions.“When parents and managements want the schools to run, how could the activists force them for closure?” he asked.On registering cases against TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao and other Telangana leaders while maintaining silence on Seemandhra leaders who were also making inflammatory statements, Dinesh Reddy said cases have also been booked against some Seemandhra leaders like D Uma and P Keshav, both MLAs.SCR Advisory to Rail PassengersHYDERABAD: In view of the proposed rail roko agitation in Telangana region on October 15,16 and 17, the South Central Railway (SCR) has issued a travel advisory to rail passengers about certain train services which are likely to be affected due to the stir.Train services in the following sections may be affected.Secunderabad - Kazipet; Secunderabad- Wadi; Vikarabad - Parli; Nadikudi-Bibinagar; Secunderabad - Mudkhed; Vijayawada - Kazipet- Ballarshah; Secunderabad- Dhone; Dornakal- Manuguru; Nizamabad- Bodhan; Peddapalli-Jagityal and Adilabad- Kinwat.Some of the train services in the above sections are being cancelled, partially cancelled, diverted or rescheduled.Long distance trains which are originally scheduled to pass through these sections are being diverted.
Comments
0 comment