Nagarjuna Sagar dam row: 'Andhra, Telangana agree to revert to water release terms as on Nov 28'
Hyderabad (PTI): Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have agreed to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla's proposal that both states revert to the release of Nagarjuna Sagar waters as on November 28, after he held a video conference on Friday with chief secretaries and DGPs of both states on the dispute over the dam.
Andhra Pradesh took charge of part of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on November 29 using state police and "unilaterally" began releasing water through the right canal, leading to tensions between the two states.
However, the states have accepted Bhalla's proposal to revert to the release of Nagarjuna Sagar waters as on November 28, even as the CRPF will supervise the dam, a press release from the Telangana government said here today.
Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari alleged that on the November 29 night, about 500 armed policemen from the neighbouring state came to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and damaged the CCTV cameras and released about 5,000 cusecs of water by opening the head regulators located at gate number 5 and 7.
The move by Andhra Pradesh created "law and order issues" in Telangana subsequently, when polling for the state assembly electionswas going on, she said, expressing concern that it would seriously disrupt the drinking water supply of two crore people of Hyderabad and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, two cases were registered against Andhra Police in Nalgonda district of Telangana after they allegedly took control of half of the Nagarjuna Sagar dam, barricading a part of it and restraining the entry of Telangana police and irrigation department officials on the site, police said on Friday.
The cases were booked against AP Police under relevant sections of the IPC on charges of wrongful restraint, trespass and mischief, among others. The Telangana Police are also in the process of adding sections under the Public Property Damage Act against them, a senior police official told PTI.
On the intervening night of November 29 and November 30, a large contingent of police forces from Andhra Pradesh "barged" in at the Nagarjuna Sagar dam site in Nalgonda district around 1 am and allegedly pushed aside the Special Protection Force (SPF) of Telangana guarding the access points of the dam, resulting in tensions between the two states.
The AP Police force then took control of half of the dam, which has 26 gates, and erected several layers of barricades and barbed wire around it. Subsequently, AP Irrigation authorities also released water from the right canal, Telangana police had said.
Two complaints were filed against AP Police, one by an official of the Telangana Special Protection Force, who accused AP Police of causing damage to the gate and CCTVs and forcefully evicting Telangana SPF personnel from access points where they were posted as part of security.
The SPF official also said that they were wrongfully restrained by AP Police.
The second complaint was lodged by Telangana Irrigation department authorities against AP Police, accusing them of damage and wrongful restraint, police said.
Additional police personnel from Telangana were deployed following the incident, the official added.
Nagarjuna Sagar dam, built over river Krishna, is under the control of Telangana government, they said.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
