The ‘criminally negligent’ attitude of the key officers in the AP government towards post-poll violence and also their naked support to the local YCP MLAs in attacking political opponents is likely to make several police officers pay heavy price.
With the intervention of the Election Commission of India (ECI), by summoning both Chief Secretary and DGP to New Delhi for explanation, a 13-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed. It has already started its investigation from Sunday itself.
Ahead of the SIT presenting its preliminary report to the government on Monday morning, the state government has decided to take disciplinary action against three SPs, who were displaced on the direction of the ECI.
They are Palnadu and Anantapur SPs Bindumadhav and Amit Bardar, who were suspended for not controlling the violence that broke out in the state during the polling, and SP Krishnakanth Patel, who was transferred from Tirupati district.
Chief Secretary Jawahar Reddy has issued orders to this effect. Guntur Range IG Sarvashrestha Tripathi gave a report on the vandalism in Palnadu. YCP goons attempted to kill a TDP candidate in Tirupati. Police failure in Tadipatri and the situation of stone pelting on the SP.
According to the report given by DIG Shemushi of Anantapur Range, charges should be filed against the three SPs. The SPs were given 15 days time for their explanation. The government is bound to inform the ECI on the action taken against them within 60 days.
Meanwhile, on the basis of the SIT report, the government may initiate similar action against some more Police officers in the ranks of DSP, CI and SI. Already, SIT members are said to have found their negligence during violent incidents without seeking additional forces or even informing their higher officers.