Thousands of employees from various family clubs in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Commissionerate limits approached the State Human Rights Commission complaining of harassment by the cops. Over 10,000 people have been working in family clubs since several years. The Twin Cities Family Club Employees Welfare Association filed the complaint before the Commission on Monday.
Though the clubs have been demanding the framing of rules, regulations and guidelines for running clubs, the government and the police have not done so, the petitioners said. In the absence of rules, the clubs have been following the guidelines issued by the Excise department in maintaining swimming pools, table tennis, snooker, gym, health facilities and restaurants providing an atmosphere for family gatherings.
They said that the police has been visiting the clubs often and registering false cases against them at the instance of some blackmailers. The complainants said that the raids had increased in the last one week and the police has been harassing the management, club employees and members. They told the Commission that some local political leaders were demanding money even though the clubs were being run lawfully.
As the complainants said that they were being arrested without any fault depriving them of their right to livelihood and life, the Commission member (non-judicial), Mr K. Peda Peri Reddy, directed the commissioner of police of Hyderabad and Cyberabad to inquire into the issue and submit a detailed report by March 29 to the Commission.