Andhra Pradesh Police Officers’ Association State president J. Srinivasa Rao on Thursday termed “unsavoury” the comments of YSR Congress legislator R.K. Roja calling Director-General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao as a “slave” of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and branding policemen as “bouncers.”
Speaking to the media, he said the police were slaves not to any individual but to law. “The police department is striving hard, more so after bifurcation, to maintain law and order in the new State. It is facing many challenges. Instead of boosting our morale, such harsh words will dampen the spirits of the policemen,” he said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said while democracy provided freedom of speech, one should use proper language to express his or her feelings.
Association secretary D. Subrahmanyam said the National Women’s Parliament (NWP) organised recently was meant to enhance the country’s prestige in the world arena.
“We received information that Ms. Roja was planning to disrupt the proceedings, and that was the reason why we took her into preventive custody,” he said.
‘Maintain restraint’
Mr. Rao advised Ms. Roja to maintain restraint and desist from making comments against public servants.
“The association wants an unconditional apology from Ms. Roja. We also want her to withdraw her comments. Otherwise, the gunmen providing security to her will function by wearing black badges as a mark of protest,” he warned.
The members felt that it had become a fashion for politicians to blame or chide the police department for no rhyme or reason.
“Under Section 101 of the IPC, criminal proceedings can be initiated and police can arrest anyone,” he said.
Association office-bearers T. Gopal, V. Gopi, and M. Somaiah were present.
