HYDERABAD: As a follow-up on the reimposition of the ban on Naxalite organisations, the Government has stepped up security to Ministers, MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives besides offering to provide protection to any citizen facing threat from the extremists. Police patrolling has been ordered to be intensified at all the vital installations to ward off possible sneak attacks by extremists. Installations in villages like telephone exchanges are the first targets of naxalites. The Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, said after reviewing the law and order situation that the security of almost all the 294 MLAs and 42 MPsh had been increased. Each of them was provided two gunmen but those in Karimnagar, Warangal and Adilabad districts in Telanagna and Prakasam and Guntur had been given six security personnel. According to informed sources, Ministers have been advised not to use the blue beacon light atop their vehicles while visiting interior areas. Ministers and elected representatives have been asked not to venture into trouble-prone areas for sometime unless compulsory. They have been instructed to give prior intimation to the district police chiefs and to the nearest police station also, if possible, during such visits so that proper bandobust is made.

The security for the former Chief Ministers, especially N. Chandrababu Naidu, a Z-plus category protectee, and former MLAs has also been increased or taken up for a review. The Security Review Committee has been asked to receive applications, if any, seeking security afresh or for increased protection. The Home Minister said any citizen suspecting threat to life could seek protection after providing proper information to the Government. Extra forces have been posted for the security of the Secretariat premises. A total of 130 uniformed men, most of them armed, will be present now at any point of the time during the day. Meanwhile, a CRPF company with 1,000 men is expected to arrive in the State shortly in compliance with a State request.

The Home Minister clarified that what was being raised afresh was not "Tribal Battalion" as is being talked of, but it was a general battalion with its recruitment open to general candidates also in the scheduled areas.

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