AP seeks 10,000 cops for ‘T-day’

The state government has asked the Centre for an additional 100 Companies (10,000 personnel) to maintain law and order in view of the impending announcement on Telangana.

On Thursday, the Centre took stock of the lawand-order situation in AP and directed the state government to take all possible steps to maintain peace. The issue is also likely to come up at Congress’ Chintan Baithak beginning in Jaipur on Friday.

Government sources said that Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde has asked top MHA officials to brief him on the situation in the state before a final view is taken by the Centre.

Union home secretary R.K. Singh reviewed the security situation in the state with chief secretary Minnie Mathew, DGP V. Dinesh Reddy and intelligence wing chief Mahendra Reddy.

Sources said that the law and order situation in the state came under review taking note of concerns on how to handle the repercussions if any announcement was made, either way, by taking into account the possible implications — both short-term as well as long-term.

The MHA is also aware of the looming Maoist threat over Telangana and surrounding regions and sources said while the government is keen to push development in the region, it is also sending in additional forces to fight the menace and also assist the state government in handling any law and order situation arising out of an announcement by the Centre. “The state government wants around 100 companies (10,000 personnel) to provide assistance for maintaining law and order if any announcement is made,” said a source.

After the all-party meeting on December 28, Mr Shinde had announced that the government would make an announcement on Telangana within a month.