AP CM contemplates law to tackle terror

Hyderabad, Nov 27 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy tonight said the state government was contemplating to enact a law making security measures a mandatory for better policing.

The government was also being contemplated for enactment of the AP Public Safety Act.

These laws made it mandatory for big public houses and malls to strictly use electronic equipment and other safety measures like CCTVs, Metal Detectors and Fire Fighting equipments.

This was decided at the Chief Minister's review meeting on Law and Order with Home Minister K Jana Reddy, Chief Secretary, P Ramakanth Reddy, Addl DGP, (Intelligence) K Aravinda Rao, Commissioners of Police, B Prasada Rao and S Prabhakara Reddy today at Camp Office immediately after his return from Delhi.

Dr Reddy reviewed the situation in detail in the two-hour-long meeting and directed the police to review the situation on day-to-day basis.

He also ordered the Chief Secretary and the DGP to constantly monitor the situation and take all possible precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident in Hyderabad as well as other sensitive places in the state, in the backdrop of Mumbai terror strikes.

The Chief Minister asked the police to be on high alert in sensitive areas like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and economic centres like RBI, Big malls, famous pilgrim centres like Tirupati, tourist destinations and crowded urban centres.

Mr Reddy directed strengthening of vigil at all entry points to the State and monitoring of check points.

He also wanted the mobile parties, Rapid Action Forces, Rakshaks and Special Police to be put on high alert in all the sensitive areas.

The Chief Minister also ordered all the SPs in the State to be vigilant and high alert.

Earlier, in the morning, as per the directions of the Chief Minister from Delhi, the Home Minister, the Chief Secretary and DGP reviewed the situation in the State.

The Chief Minister, in a message to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, said ''I am shocked to hear the blasts and attacks by terrorists in Mumbai.

''These are terrible acts of frustrated militants and the killings of innocent people are inhuman and most unfortunate. I assure you the fullest cooperation from the government at this hour of crisis. The people and government of Andhra Pradesh stand by you in defeating the blatant attacks of terrorists and eliminating them.

We are ready to help you in whichever way you want. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the kith and kin of the innocent people who died in the blast and attacks. I also pay my homage to the brave police officials who laid down their lives in their bid to save the lives of the people.'' He also made an appeal to the people to cooperate with the police in maintaining Law and Order and assured that the government was fully alert to meet any eventuality.

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