The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : It doesn't pay, says DGP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

It doesn't pay, says DGP

By Our Staff Reporter

NALGONDA, OCT.17. Peeved at the naxals' reported proposal for an increase in the wages of the police force in the State during the peace talks with the Government yesterday, the Director-General of Police, S.R. Sukumara, has made it clear that it is "none of their business."

Responding to a question at a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Sukumara asked naxal leaders not to interfere in administrative matters as the department knew how to take good care of its personnel.

Mending own houses

"We don't need them to tell (us) what to do. I don't tell how much Laxman Rao and Ramakrishna (the leaders of the newly-formed Communist Party of India (Maoist)) should be paying, how much those girls of 16 years (are) being paid, what promotion they should get and how much the Brahmins and upper castes are dominating (the movement). I am not telling them all these things," he said.

"They should first mend their house. We will take care of ours. We know how to administer the constabulary and we can take good care of them," he added.

`Fund-raising spree'

The DGP, who was here to inaugurate the renovated district police headquarters, alleged that naxal groups, which hold sway in 13 to 14 districts, had mobilised huge sums taking advantage of the conducive atmosphere created for talks. "I don't think the Maoists and the Janashakti can expand their base in the present atmosphere. However, they earned a lot," he said.

Acting polite

He added in a lighter vein, "Till six months ago we were out to kill them. Now, we are learning to hug them and behave politely with them. This is also good for us.''

The DGP maintained that the police were prepared to switch to any type of policing after the talks. "We will know the outcome in a few days and are hoping for the best. We are on high alert and ready to meet any eventuality," he said adding that the police morale was high.

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