AP Govt warns rioters after communal clashes in Hyderabad

In the backdrop of clashes in the old areas of the city, the Andhra Pradesh Government today said it would act tough against perpetrators of communal violence and warned such elements of "serious consequences."

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who held a high-level review meeting with Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy, Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy and other top officials on the situation in some pockets of Old City here, told newspersons in the evening that the government was taking all steps to prevent communal violence in the state.

"We strongly condemn communal violence, be it in Hyderabad or other parts of the state. The government will act very tough and perpetrators will have to face serious consequences," the chief minister asserted.

He said the DGP and Hyderabad Police Commissioner have been directed to take every measure to prevent further violence in the light of the clashes between two communities in Madannapet and surrounding areas here yesterday.

Appealing to the people to maintain communal harmony, Kiran said "We all should join hands and safeguard communal harmony and peaceful atmosphere."

He said the DGP has been directed to monitor the situation in communally-sensitive areas in the state with Superintendents of Police of all districts.

The CM said closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed across twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad to prevent communal violence.

"We require about 5,000 CCTV cameras for this purpose...we are examining how quickly we can get them installed," Kiran added.