FULLY ENGROSSED: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and DGP Swaranjit Sen at the APSP Raising Day celebrations in Hyderabad on Saturday. PHOTO: P. V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday praised the Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) for becoming a role model for police forces of other naxalite-affected States as it had emerged the backbone for the elite Greyhounds that had effectively tackled the naxalite menace.

Contributing 80 per cent of the strength of Greyhounds, the APSP men proved their mettle with their arduous training, Dr. Reddy said addressing the 49th Raising Day celebrations of APSP on its First Battalion campus at Yousufguda here. The Chief Minister lauded the APSP as a unique force in the country that was involved in guarding as many as 370 police stations in naxalite-affected areas. The State Government would pay special attention to the welfare of its personnel, he said.

`Open to talks'

Home Minister K. Jana Reddy said the Government was ready for talks with naxalites even now if they gave up arms.

He stressed the need for a complete halt to naxalite activities, as they were a hindrance to development.

Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen said the recruitment of police constables taken up a few months ago would be completed next month.

The personnel of APSP gave a demonstration of their skills in repulsing naxalite attacks on police stations.

Simulating an attack on Kaddam police station, which was located amidst thick forest in Adilabad district, the men showed their ability to gun down extremists.

They gave a demonstration of the devious methods used by naxalites, gun battle and explosion of mines at the site.

The men also showed their skills at Malkhamb, a traditional Indian sport. The features of the advanced weapons used by the force were explained to audience.

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