A deputy superintendent of police, hailing from Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday resigned from service as the campaign for separate Telangana state picked up momentum.
While police sources said DSP D Nalini quit owing to health problems, the officer reportedly said in her resignation letter to the director general of police that she was quitting as she could not work under officers hailing from Andhra region.
She later told a Telugu television news channel in a live discussion that she resigned in protest against the 'excesses' committed by the police against students of Osmania and other universities for fighting for a separate Telangana state.
"Being a person from the region, I could not stand the oppression unleashed against the students and those fighting for Telangana. Hence, I decided to quit," Nalini added.
Nalini, who passed out of the Andhra Pradesh Police Academy, joined her first posting in Medak only four months ago.
"She submitted a letter to me but we are yet to examine its content. Being a government servant, there is a procedure for resignation. We are looking into the issue," said DGP R R Girish Kumar.
Nalini hails from Bhongir in Nalgonda district which is part of the Telangana region. She has a 12-year-old daughter.
A top police official said Nalini's public outburst against the police and the government, even before her resignation was accepted, was a clear violation of conduct rules and she may be placed under suspension and later dismissed from service after an inquiry.
"However, given the current situation, it may not happen as it will be seen as harassing a woman official who has already quit her post," he added.
