TIRUPATI: The Home Minister, K.Jana Reddy, has appealed to the people to take part actively by turning out in large numbers in the ensuing civic polls and prove their support to democracy. He requested the people to take part in the voting exercise fearlessly and also help the department by passing on vital information.

"I would not expect the Maoists to give a call to boycott the polls, and even if they did the people would have no second thought in supporting democracy."

Addressing mediapersons in Puttur on Thursday, he said that the department was alive to the increased threat perception amid reports of action teams on prowl in the capital and was on the job of gathering intelligence inputs for initiating suitable action.

Fears allayed

Queried on providing security cover to the public representatives in predominantly naxal-affected districts in the renewed situation, Mr.Reddy said there was no need for panic. "There is absolutely no need for worry as we will provide security cover to them based on their individual requirements." He also assured to take all measures to keep poll-eve violence under control in faction-ridden areas.

On the vociferous demand being made by various sections to lift the ban on Virasam, he said the representations received from various people's associations would be considered.

Evades reply

On the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's plea to the Congress high command not to go for deployment of additional forces, the Home Minister evaded a direct reply, merely saying that every party had the right to express its view.

He also brushed aside the abortive attempt by ABVP students to barge into the Secretariat complex on Wednesday as a "freak incident" resorted to by an "irate mob," adding that it need not be taken as exposing the vulnerability of the high-security building.

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