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Nine AP constables suspended

In a move, aimed at taking the wind out of the opposition sails, the Andhra Pradesh government yesterday announced the dismissal of nine police constables, including six policemen allegedly involved in the incidents of gang rapes and burning of a Hyderabad hotel cook during this month.

Addressing the media, Home Minister A Madhav Reddy said the government had exercised its power under Article 311 of the Constitution to dismiss the constables. The government would not tolerate "the protector turning into perpetrators of crime", he added.

Three constables were dismissed for their alleged involvement in the burning of Fareed Khan in Hyderabad on April 10 and three others for the reported gang rape of Hussaini Beevi, the wife of a surrendered People's War Group leader, at Macharam in Mahabubnagar district on April 8.

Three excise constables, who along with two civilians, allegedly raped a housewife at an excise station in Kadiri of Anantapur district on April 1, were among those dismissed.

The incidents, which had occurred during the week-long recess of the state assembly session, had provided grist to the opposition mill which had been baying for the government's blood.

All India Majlis-Ittehadul-Muslimeen president and MP Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi had alleged that the atrocities on the minorities and women had increased after the ruling Telugu Desam Party had extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre. He demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting high court judge.

The state government appeared to have rejected the Majlis demand for a judicial probe with Reddy saying that the crime branch has been entrusted with the investigation into the cases.

UNI

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