CM Revanth Warns Police Against Negligence in Maintaining Law and Order

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday issued a stern warning against negligence in maintaining law and order and directed the police to modernise itself to tackle emerging challenges. The Chief Minister said the government would not tolerate laxity in policing and stressed the need for accountability, coordination and technological upgradation across all wings of the department.

Addressing a meeting attended by DGP C.V. Anand, state security adviser B. Shivadhar Reddy, additional DGPs, police commissioners and IGs, Revanth Reddy directed the replacement of outdated weapons, strengthening of patrolling, increasing night patrolling and reinforcing village policing. He instructed officials to conduct regular reviews of rowdy sheets and history sheets and maintain continuous surveillance on rowdy sheeters.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to strengthen the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) division and prepare a comprehensive policing plan for 10 years. He directed the department to study cybercrime control measures in detail and prepare a comprehensive report. He said there was an urgent need to increase forensic centres and data centres and suggested that police personnel for cybercrime wings should be identified and selected during the training stage.

Revanth Reddy also instructed officials to introduce a cybercrime course for police personnel at the Skills University. He said technology usage should be increased in the vigilance department. Using data analysis, vigilance officials should concentrate on organised crime, he said, adding that the government should study the possibility of granting more powers to the vigilance wing.

Revanth Reddy emphasised that coordination among all departments and senior officers should improve significantly. He questioned why authorities were failing to act against the indiscriminate erection of flex banners in the city and said it must be regulated strictly. He directed the tri-commissionerate chief and GHMC officials to act firmly against illegal flex banners.

The Chief Minister said the government would not accept officers bypassing responsibility. He directed that no officer should leave headquarters without mandatory intimation to senior officials. Crime review meetings, he said, must be conducted regularly. District SPs should continuously tour their districts while IG-rank officers should maintain constant supervision.

He also directed that all vehicles in the police department should gradually be converted into electric vehicles and stressed the need to focus on the welfare of police personnel.

He directed officials to crack down on ganja transportation through special surveillance and called for the establishment of special de-addiction centres for drug victims. He stressed the need to expand drone policing, utilise advanced technology in policing, increase CCTV camera coverage and effectively use the Integrated Command and Control Centre.

Revanth Reddy made it clear that corruption in the police would not be tolerated and postings should be given strictly on merit. He called for better coordination among police officers. He said the state government was in discussions with the Centre to increase the number of IPS officers allotted to Telangana.

He instructed officials to install QR codes in all police stations to facilitate lodging of complaints. He also proposed integrating road safety and traffic management into a single unit.

Expressing concern over rising food adulteration, Revanth Reddy called for bringing in a special law to tackle food adulteration. He said the increase in cancer cases due to adulterated food was alarming. He directed officials to exercise caution while granting permissions for programmes involving VIPs and celebrities.

The Chief Minister proposed that officials from the rank of SI to non-cadre IPS officers should work in other departments for two years after promotion. He directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to study the proposal and submit a report.

The Chief Minister directed the fire department to coordinate with the municipal administration department and HYDRAA and prepare a comprehensive report by June 15. He also called for coordination with HMWS&SB in nala maintenance and coordination among police, traffic police, HYDRAA and municipal administration departments regarding maintenance of manholes.