Opposition hits at Telangana government for sealing border

Naveen S Garewal 
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, May 23  

After the Telangana Police cracked down on people moving from Andhra Pradesh into Telangana, mostly carrying sick for treatment to Hyderabad, both state governments have come under heavy criticism by opposition parties.

The Hyderabad police have even issued orders to its staff to go slow in dealing with people with a firm hand after several complaints were received against the police.

Andhra Pradesh’s main opposition party, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), slammed state Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Telangana government for playing with the lives of the sick by preventing Covid patients from entering Telangana.

TDP leader K Atchannaidu condemned the lathi charge on the motorists by the Telangana Police at the Pondugala check post.

Atchannaidu alleged that the Telangana Police were not allowing Andhra Pradesh vehicles on the border and even threatening the vehicle users if they tried to cross over.

After Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) expressed dissatisfaction over the lockdown measures, the state police tightened restrictions at the Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border at Ramapuram crossroad near Kodad in Suryapet district.

Carrying of an e-pass has been made mandatory for the people to cross the border to enter Telangana state during the lockdown relaxation time from 6 am to 10 am.

Police said except for emergency services like ambulances and essential commodities vehicles, vehicles would not be allowed into the state from the border points at Mellcheruvu, Chinthalapalem, Mattampally, and Palakeedu Mandals, which are bordering Mandals of Andhra Pradesh state.

Telangana has stopped food delivery services on apps like Zomato, Amazon, Swiggy, etc after 2:45 pm on Saturday and arrested delivery boys and impounded their vehicles forcing the politicians to intervene.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president and state minister KT Rama Rao took up the issue with DGP Mahendra Reddy after which the latter asked the police to go slow.

Despite all the measures, people are still seen moving around without masks and violating the lockdown. But on account of the political objection, the police are unable to do much.