Hyderabad

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday made an appeal to Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream to be part of the growth of the country and discharge their duties for the reconstruction of Telangana.

Addressing the Police Flag Day parade here, Reddy said the police department in Telangana has been given a free hand to make the state drug-free.

"Maoist activities used to be there in Telangana earlier. But with various measures taken by the police, peace prevailed. I am requesting Maoist leaders who are currently working underground to come out and join the mainstream," the CM said.

"You all know that recently some key Maoist leaders surrendered. I request the remaining Maoists to join the mainstream and be a part of the country's development. I request Maoists to be part of the reconstruction of Telangana," he further said.

He said investments will come and job creation will be possible only when there is better law and order situation in the state.

Reddy said, the newly formed EAGLE (Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement) force, which was set up to eradicate the drug menace in the state, has been discharging its duties effectively.

The CM said the government stands by the family of constable Pramod, who was killed while discharging his duties in Nizamabad recently.

An ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore is being sanctioned, along with the last pay drawn salary till the martyred constable’s date of superannuation, a government job for one eligible family member, and a 300-square-yard residential plot, Reddy said.

In addition, an ex-gratia of another Rs 24 lakh from the Police department will be paid to Pramod’s family as support.

The 42-year-old constable was allegedly stabbed to death by a habitual offender while he was being taken to a police station in Nizamabad city, police said on October 18.

Paying tributes to the police martyrs on the Police Commemoration Day, CM Reddy said that 191 police personnel, including 6 from Telangana, laid down their lives while discharging their duties in the country.

The CM also highlighted the government's resolve to appoint women police officers in the key departments.

Telangana had set an example for the country by giving postings to qualified women IPS officers in several key wings of the police department.

Today, the women IPS officers head the Telangana Police Academy, Prisons Department, SIB, ACB, CID, Vigilance, Armed Reserve, CCS, and Cyber Security Bureau. Seven women officers are discharging their duties as DCPs in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda police commissionerates, he said.

In view of increasing challenges in dealing with crime cases, investigation, traffic control, day patrol, night patrol, security and VIP protection, Reddy said that the government has also taken several welfare measures for the well-being of the police personnel.

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The state government has recruited about 16,000 constables and Sub Inspectors to reduce work burden and improve efficiency. Political interference was completely removed in the discharge of duties by the police, he added.