HYDERABAD: The police have been asked to exercise restraint during a dharna or a public agitation by arresting and binding over unruly elements to the courts instead of resorting to excessive use of force like firing or lathicharge.

This advice was given by the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, while discussing the law and order situation on the concluding day of the two-day Collectors' conference here on Saturday.

Dr. Reddy instructed the Collectors and Superintendents of Police to develop interior and remote areas affected by naxalite activity using funds (Rs. 300 crores) available under the newly created Remote & Interior Area Development Department. He asked them to wean away the youth in these areas from the influence of naxalites by providing them employment or training them for recruitment into the army and the police. If necessary, the Collectors could identify jobs in private industries for the idle hands.

Rehabilitation

The Chief Minister wanted the Revenue Department to work in coordination with the police for taking up works in the interior areas and identifying the youth for jobs or training.

Informed sources said a decision was taken to be sympathetic towards couriers and militants and extend to them the rehabilitation package which was hitherto confined to the identified cadre. Briefing reporters on the decisions taken after day-long group discussions, the Revenue Minister, D. Prasada Rao, said in line with the problems highlighted by the Collectors, 24 junior colleges would be established immediately in mandal headquarters which did not have this facility.

Orders had been issued for construction of compound walls of Government colleges to prevent encroachments.

As the Rs. 300-crore "land development package" was linked to the forthcoming mass land distribution programme, documents relating to land development would also be given away simultaneously to beneficiaries along with the title deed and the map of the land.

Summing up the deliberations, the Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, asked the Collectors to ensure an "aggressive presence" of the Government at the district level.

T. K. Dewan, Chief Commissioner, Land Administration, spoke.

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