Hyderabad, July 1 (INN): BRS senior leader Shaik Abdullah Sohail strongly condemned the Congress Government in Telangana for its failure to control Hyderabad’s law and order situation.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Monday, Sohail accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who also holds the Home and Law & Order portfolios, of failing to manage the rising crime incidents. He stated that law and order in Hyderabad had utterly failed, with June 2024 marked as the bloodiest month in the city’s history, witnessing nearly 30 murders and attempted murders. He highlighted that murders often occurred on consecutive days, with no peaceful intervals.
He pointed out that the murders involved two main groups: rowdy sheeters and younger individuals, including minors, and that most murders were committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He criticised the Hyderabad Police for dismissing many cases as personal affairs, which led to a norm of revenge killings. He emphasised that there was no fear of law or police among criminals, with many murders occurring in full public view. He questioned why the police were not monitoring rowdy sheeters and other anti-social elements and where the police network of informers had gone. He also raised concerns about the police’s failure to prevent these murders and their reliance on suspects surrendering voluntarily without proper investigation.
Sohail criticised the police for not seeking custody for further interrogation in any case and failing to trace the sources of the weapons used in the murders, which were not regular knives but specially made for killings. He questioned why the police were not tracking the sellers of these weapons. He pointed out that the Hyderabad Police had not booked a single case under the Preventive Detention Act (PD Act) against any rowdy sheeter, and the accused in most murders would likely get bail within a few months, enabling them to commit more crimes.
The BRS leader accused the police of harassing familiar people for show, questioning the connection between the murders and the operations of shops and establishments. He criticised the police for targeting small businesses and enforcing early closing times while liquor shops and bars remained open until midnight. He also condemned the police for targeting innocent youth in the Old City under the guise of the chabutra mission, noting that chabutras were a cultural part of Hyderabad and people sitting there were not involved in murders. Instead, he argued that those gathering at liquor shops were the culprits. He pointed out that videos of police beating up regular passersby in the Old City were going viral, creating an atmosphere of fear and defaming the Old City and its people.
Sohail criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for not conducting a review meeting to assess the law and order situation. He mentioned reports of a shortage of funds for police vehicles’ fuel, leading to a significant reduction in regular patrolling. He highlighted that the previous BRS government had upgraded the Hyderabad Police with new cars, but many were unused due to a lack of fuel. He called for accountability, noting that not a single constable had been suspended despite the numerous murders.
The BRS leader urged the Hyderabad Police to perform their duties efficiently, stop targeting innocent youth, and cease harassing common businessmen by forcing early shop closures. He stressed that the series of murders had tarnished Hyderabad’s image as a peaceful city and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace. He called on the police to focus on their responsibilities rather than covering up their failures.
With the upcoming Moharram and Bonalu festivals, Sohail urged the Hyderabad Police to take extra precautions and prevent anti-social and communal elements from disturbing the city’s atmosphere. (INN)
