Vijayawada: With nearly 3 crore floating population expected for the ensuing Krishna Pushkarams, the police are busy chalking out action plan to address security issues at that time. The same police officers and personnel involved in bandobust duty during Godavari Pushkaralu, have been deployed for Krishna Pushkarams in Amaravati. Surprisingly, officers and staff, who had poor track record, were allocated duties during Godavari Pushkarams and Tuni arson, a middle-level officer told this correspondent.
The passive attitude of police during the demolition of temples in Vijayawada reflects the unpreparedness of the senior officers brought to the city from Eluru, pointed out another officer. "Police officers who were deployed on duty during Godavari Pushkarams and Tuni incidents were not prepared to face the situation. There has been a heavy loss of life and property during the incidents, he pointed out and wondered why the same team was entrusted the Pushkarams duty now. "It is because we have to follow the rules and discipline in the department, we are not commenting about it," he said.
Congress leader and former minister Devineni Rajasekhar has suggested that the government deploy senior officers having good reputation in the department. When contacted, Rajahmundry ex-MP Undavalli Arunkumar said the Chief Minister alone should be held responsible for the mishap. Mr Naidu should own responsibility for deaths, he said. “I told the Somayajulu Commission that no CCTV cameras were fixed at the ghats during Godavari river fete.” "The government need not blame any other official for the death of pilgrims." he added. The former MP questioned why no senior officer deposed before the Commission so far.
The Akhila Bharata Kapu Jagruthi (ABKJ) chairman, Chandu Janardhan, raised objection to deployment of the same police officers responsible for the Tuni incident, on Pushkarams duty. He said the government was least bothered about the security of pilgrims who congregate in large numbers in the city for the river fete. He too suggested that the government should deploy police officers who can handle the situation.
