CM pays tribute to dead, announces solatium

Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, Aug 19 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy paid floral tributes to the three policemen who were killed by the CPI (Maoist) Naxals at Atmakur (M) police station in the district here today.

The Chief Minister who rushed here along with the Home Minister K Jana Reddy and the DGP Swaranjeet Sen, soon after hearing the news of the killing told newsmen that ''to kill unarmed policemen was a cowardly act.'' He said an ex gratia amount of Rs nine lakh would be given to the family members of the slain policemen and Rs five lakh to the family of the Home Guard.

He said their salaries would also be paid till the date of their retirement and houses would be provided to the bereaved families.

He said government would also make an effort to provide a job to one member of each family.

Dr Reddy asserted that ''it was wrong for anyone to assume that power could be acheived through gun''.

Hyderabad Range Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anuradha said Atmakur bordering the Warangal district was generally a peaceful area and hence weapons were not provided to policemen.

She maintained that it was not possible to provide weapons to all the police stations and added that policemen would have to be more careful and cautious against such attacks.

She said the department would make efforts to increase the strength and provide arms to more police stations.

Rama Narasimha Reddy, Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association, while condemning the incident, told newsmen in Hyderabad that the Maoists would have to face the consequences for their act.

Meanwhile, a high alert has been sounded in Andhra Pradesh following the attack on Atmakur police station.

Borders of Nalgonda district have been sealed and combing operations were intensified to track down naxals.

UNI JRK AJ SP PC1915