Security beefed for proposed Telangana march on September 30

Security was stepped up in and around Hyderabad city ahead of the proposed 'Telangana March' on September 30 even as police intensified checking in neighbouring Telangana districts to "prevent statehood supporters" from joining the march.

Apart from Hyderabad City police, a large number of personnel drawn from other parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states besides central para-military forces including BSF, CRPF, CISF, RAF were being deployed at different places including Osmania University campus (the nerve centre of Telangana agitation since November 2009), as intelligence inputs had suggested outbreak of violence during the march.

Director General (law and order) S A Huda and Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma have already said that no permission has been given for the march and warned of stern action against those (agitators) trying to create law and order problem.

Terming the proposed march as "illegal", the senior police officers have also asked the agitators from avoiding themselves from taking part in the march.

In order to stop statehood supporters from proceeding to Hyderabad, police intensified frisking of bus passengers and their luggage and other vehicles in Telangana districts of Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar among others and were also keeping a watch on suspects.

Police officials said, "the checking and frisking operation will continue 24 hours till September 30 to prevent agitators from participating in the march," and also sought cooperation from the public.

The officials said security was heightened and as a precautionary measure they will also resort to preventive arrests even as pro-Telangana groups "condemned" the restrictions and asserted that they were planning a peaceful march.

Police had on Tuesday, sent back scores of students to Suryapet in Nalgonda district while they were on their way to join the proposed march in three buses.

Police have already set up check posts in and around Hyderabad in order to prevent movement of agitators from different Telangana districts, Huda had yesterday said adding that they have already identified trouble-makers and their leaders, who are likely to be soon taken into preventive custody.

Police had intelligence inputs over possible attacks on properties of Andhra people in the city, besides the Secretariat and AP Assembly building during the proposed march, he said while stressing that they have put in place enough security to tackle the situation.

In view of specific intelligence inputs on participation of a large number of women activists in the march, women police and home guards were also pressed into service.