High drama ensued as wives of police constables stormed the main gate of the AP Special Police 8th battalion at Kondapur on Saturday, protesting against the alleged harassment of their husbands by higher officers who were denying them leave and welfare measures. This is the first time that the family members of police personnel have raised their voice against the authorities.
Tension prevailed for a few hours, with the driver of the APSP inspector general Venkateswara Rao getting beaten up by protesters when he tried to videograph the event. When the IG came out to calm the agitators, they would not give in, demanding that the government transfer the IG immediately for his inefficiency.
In the meantime, the state home minister, Ms P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, ordered an inquiry into the issue and directed the IG to submit a report on the problems being faced by constables. She promised the agitators that she would look into the issue and called upon them to withdraw the agitation.
The agitation was triggered by the death due to malaria of a police constable, posted at Addateegal mandal, East Godavari district, three days ago. The agitators alleged that the constable, Phani Kumar, 35, a native of Chittoor district, died for want of proper medical treatment and being denied medical leave by the authorities. They alleged that the East Godavari Company Commander Vinod had sought Rs 500 from him for sanction of leave.