AP alert to tackle rail roko

Hyderabad: Ahead of the three-day `rail roko` call given by statehood activists in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh from October 9, police and railway authorities today deliberated upon elaborate action plan to tackle the proposed agitation.

Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy, senior officials of South Central Railway and police department discussed a plan of action that included a three-tier security bandobast to protect passengers, trains and rail assets. It was decided to deploy additional forces at stations and along the rail routes in all Telangana districts.

The high-level coordination meeting decided on setting up control rooms, to be manned by senior railway and police officials, for real time exchange of information and to undertake appropriate action, officials said.

The meet deliberated on pressing into operation pilot trains. The railways will work out a scheme for diversion of trains and early termination of them, depending on the situation, while ensure minimum passenger inconvenience. It was further decided to undertake thorough patrolling to prevent any sabotage, according to Additional Director General (Law and Order) S A Huda. The DGP also held a detailed meeting with senior police officers, including Commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad, Huda said in a release.

The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) which observed a 36-hour rail blockade last month, has given the `rail roko` call as part of the ongoing strike by all sections of society demanding statehood to the region.