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Anticipating violence and possibility of attack on properties of Andhraites during the proposed 'Telangana March' on September 30, Andhra Pradesh Police on Wednesday warned that stern action would be taken against statehood supporters who create law and order problem.
Elaborate arrangements are being put in place as the proposed march is scheduled around the time of Ganesh (idol) immersion and the Convention on Biodiversity, beginning from October 1, a top police officer said.
"So far there is no permission (for the 'Telangana March') and we don't want any untoward incident... We are very firm and will be tough (against the agitators). We are ready for any eventuality also," Director General (law and order) S A Huda told reporters.
"It is better they avoid the proposed march. It will be illegal," he added.
Apart from personnel of AP police, additional security forces including central para-military forces like BSF, CISF, CRPF and RAF, besides police forces from other states will be deployed to tackle the situation, Huda said.
"We are alert... maintenance of law and order is our mandate. We will not allow violence," Huda said and warned of stern action against those trying to create trouble.
Police have already set up check posts in and around Hyderabad in order to prevent movement of agitators from different Telangana districts, he said, adding that they have already identified trouble-makers, 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.
"We have inputs that the agitators may resort to violence just like the repeat of last year's 'Million March'. Besides, they might attack properties of Andhraites and there is also apprehension of communal disturbance," he said.
The police however, will be very strict in dealing against the agitators, Huda warned. "We will make sure that everything is peaceful," he added.
Reacting a query, Huda said police will take action against anyone creating law and order problem, irrespective of their party affiliations.
The Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), which has given a call for 'Telangana March' on September 30 demanding statehood for the region, has already rejected the AP government's appeal to put off the proposed march and said it will go ahead with the march near Tank Bund and Necklace Road.
Hyderabad city police have already denied permission for the march and expressed apprehension that the Telangana supporters may defy the prohibitory orders like they did during the 'Million March' last year, which witnessed large-scale vandalism, including destruction of the statues of Telugu icons at Tank Bund.