Hyderabad: Former home minister Sabita Indra Reddy alleged that Telangana law and order had deteriorated under the Congress government and claimed the police force was failing to maintain peace in the state.
Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday, Sabita Reddy said Telangana police once ranked among the best forces in the country. However, she said the state was now lagging behind others in maintaining law and order.
She claimed the last two-and-a-half years had shown that neglecting law and order would push the state towards decline. According to her, the government was focusing only on political harassment and targeting opposition leaders instead of addressing public issues.
“We did not achieve Telangana statehood merely for a geographical entity. We fought to create a peaceful state that attracts investments and creates jobs for youth,” she said.
Telangana law and order issue targets Congress government
Sabita Reddy criticised the absence of a full-time home minister in the state. She said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was holding the Home portfolio but was failing to focus on the department.
She recalled that people earlier approached the home minister directly whenever law and order issues surfaced in the state. However, she alleged that the present government was not responding effectively.
“Whenever we ask, they say the Chief Minister is reviewing matters at the Command and Control Centre. But every issue except the Home Department appears to be discussed there,” she said.
Sabita Reddy said it was unfortunate that the Chief Minister was not reviewing the functioning of the Home Department seriously.
Telangana law and order debate extends to POCSO demand
Referring to the case involving the son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, Sabita Reddy said the law must apply equally to everyone.
She demanded that police register a case under the POCSO Act if the girl involved was a minor.
“It does not matter whether the accused is the son of a Union Minister or anyone else. The same law must apply to all,” she said.
Sabita Reddy stated that the complaint filed by the aggrieved party must be formally accepted. She also demanded immediate legal action in the case.