Safety of women, improving law & order top priority: Andhra Pradesh Minister

Rajahmundry (AP) July 2: Andhra Pradesh Government is according top priority to the safety of women and strengthening of the law and order situation in the state, deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa said today.

"A review meeting, under chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, will be held with police officials where we will discuss issues like atrocities on women and the law and order situation. We will also discuss the steps to be taken to check crime against women," said Chinna Rajappa, who also holds Home portfolio.

He was speaking to reporters at famous Venkatsatyanarayana Swamy Temple at Annavaram, about 72 kms from here, where he along with the endowments minister P Manikyala Rao launched the "Annadanam scheme" for devotees.

Listing the measures his government has planned for the purpose, Chinna Rajappa said, "We will set up committees consisting of five members each at mandal and district levels. These committees will spread awareness among people, especially among girls and their parents, on safety issues and also suggest measures to put a leash on those who commit crimes against women."

He said that a dedicated toll free number will be set up at district-level where women in distress could seek assistance. "The additional superintendent of police (ASP) of the district will be entrusted with the responsibility to take immediate action in such cases and provide help to the woman concerned," the minister said.

Chinna Rajappa said that his government will strive to increase strength of women police personnel, besides appointing new recruits, in a bid to strengthen the police department. "New buildings will be constructed for police where pucca structures for the personnel do not exist. The state government will also acquire land for constructing marine police stations wherever necessary," he said.

Chinna Rajappa said that newly-installed Chandrababu Naidu government has started cracking a whip on the smugglers of red sanders and on land and oil mafia.

"Previous government never initiated any action on the red sandalwood smugglers and illegal transportation of the logs," he alleged.

PTI