This Article is From Aug 06, 2012

Wives of Andhra Pradesh cops demand better working conditions for husbands

Hyderabad: Family members of constables of Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) on Sunday held demonstrations against the "difficult" working conditions of these policemen.

Wives of several APSP constables staged a sit-in in front of the office of 8th battalion of APSP at Kondapur in neighbouring Rangareddy district and at 3rd battalion at Chintalvalsa in Viziangaram district and also 13th battalion at Gudipet in Adilabad dkstrict.

The protesters at Kondapur, who began their demonstrations on Saturday, shouted slogans against the alleged high-handedness and style of functioning of Battalion Commandant Ramesh Naidu.

According to the protesters, he did not sanction leave to their husbands and were posted in other districts for a long period.

"Though they discharged duties effectively in maintaining law and order, the commandant did not bother about the problems being faced by the constables and their families," they alleged.

The women took serious note of the death of a constable Phani Kumar, who allegedly died while discharging duties in East Godavari district four days ago due to bad health.

In Viziangaram, a 'rasta roko' was staged, demanding that the APSP policemen should be posted within the jurisdiction of the three districts of Viziangaram, Srikakulam and Visakhaptnam.

Demonstrations were also held in front of 13th battalion at Gudipet in Adilabad district.

Meanwhile, APSP Additional DG Goutam Sawang on Sunday visited 8th battalion at Kondapur and held a meeting with the protesters.

There were 15 Battalion centres across the state whose services were used for maintaining law and order whenever situation warrants.

Reacting to the protests, Home Minister P Sabit Indra Reddy told mediapersons that the government understood the concerns of the family members and would take action accordingly.

"The Additional DG Goutam Sawang is holding talks with them. It shows how seriously the government has taken the issue. Whatever problems are there, they would be solved," she said.

"I am holding a meeting with the APSP senior officials on Monday," the Home Minister added.

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