Following the recent attack on a political candidate, the State Police in Hyderabad have increased security measures for sitting MLAs and MPs. The State Intelligence wing has advised all legislators to take necessary safety precautions and seek assistance from local police during their campaign. Security for Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, KTR, T Harish Rao, and other ministers has also been heightened. In addition, the number of police personnel assigned to sitting MLAs will be increased from two to four. The same enhanced security will be available to sitting MPs during their visits to their constituencies for election campaigning. Special attention will be given to the security of MLAs in areas with a history of Maoist activity, such as old Khammam, parts of old Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Adilabad districts.
To ensure the safety of public representatives, the Intelligence wing has dispatched special teams to all districts and held meetings with SPs to assess the threat perception for MLAs and MPs during the election period. Additional security arrangements will be provided to those at higher risk based on the findings. The security team for Chief Minister KCR has also been advised to take extra safety measures during public meetings and interactions with the public. KTR has been asked to avoid close contact with people during the poll campaign.
District SPs have been instructed to deploy more civil police forces at campaign venues, especially when national leaders are present. Vehicles equipped with GPS will be extensively used to identify individuals carrying weapons such as knives and sharp objects.
To ensure a peaceful poll campaign by all parties until the polling is complete, DGP Anjani Kumar held a meeting with top police officials.
