The special task force constituted by the Central Government will hold crucial meeting on the law and order problems that could crop up in the event of bifurcation of the State.
The STF headed by K. Vijay Kumar, security advisor to Ministry of Home Affairs, has been constituted to study the security and law and order issues that could come up after the division of the State. The STF focussed attention on the division of assets, personnel and infrastructure related issues on Tuesday, the first day of its three-day visit to the State.
In a brief chat with reporters, Mr. Vijay Kumar stressed the need for building up strong police machinery in the two regions in the event of bifurcation of the State. He, however, refused to fix a timeline for the completion of consultation process claiming “we have come just now and have nothing to say”.
To begin with, the task force elicited information about the available resources from senior officials including the former directors general of police. The consultations would continue on Wednesday and Thursday too.
The more than two-hour meeting, according to sources, discussed the likely law and order scenario in the State post the creation of Telangana and the possibility of having a law and order set up on the lines of New Delhi. The task force sought information about the institutions related to police training and protection as well as the security mechanism that should be put in place in the State Capital and peripheral areas that would be joint capital for 10 years.
According to senior officials, the deliberations were centred on division of forces and resources with focus on maintaining their operational efficiency and ability. A major change in the district level forces was unlikely and they were likely to remain as they are.
“But when it comes to special forces like APSP, Grey hounds, CID and intelligence machinery, the division has to made in such a manner that there will not be any damage to their operational ability and efficiency,” former DGP K. Aravinda Rao told The Hindu. Incidentally, Mr. Aravinda Rao was the only former DGP who participated in the deliberations. Two other former DGPs C. Anjaneya Reddy and H.J. Dora did not attend the meeting.
Sources said Mr. Anjaneya Reddy was of the view that the State would remain united and there was no point in participating in deliberations related to security scenario post-bifurcation. Close to dozen senior officials present and former, attended the meeting. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma, his predecessor A.K. Khan, Additional Director General Intelligence M. Mahender Reddy, AP Police Housing Corporation Managing Director J.V. Ramudu and senior IPS officials including E. Gangadhar were among those present.
