With the Union government gearing to take a decision on a separate State of Telangana, the Home Ministry has decided to deploy 1,000 additional paramilitary personnel in Andhra Pradesh to maintain law and order.
The additional forces are likely to be stationed in Rayalaseema and Andhra Pradesh’s coastal regions, where the announcement of the creation of Telangana may trigger public unrest, while decision against the formation of a separate State may lead to violence in other areas.
Already 1,200 paramilitary personnel are deployed in sensitive areas, while 4,000-odd personnel are assisting the State police in anti-Naxal operations.
The State police are also being assisted by 200 Karnataka police personnel and 100 Tamil Nadu policemen in Hyderabad and adjoining areas that have been witnessing sporadic protests by pro and anti-Telangana supporters.
Senior Home Ministry officials are in regular touch with State officials, who have been told to step up security arrangements as a decision on Telangana might be taken in the next few days.
Last week, State Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty and Director-General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy met Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Home Secretary Anil Goswami to review the law and order situation and the repercussions the State might face if Telangana is created.
