Naidu urged officials to make full use of real-time governance systems to monitor emerging issues, counter misinformation, and take swift decisions to maintain peace.
Published Sep 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. (X)
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed Superintendents of Police to harness technology in tackling law-and-order challenges. The chief minister expressed concern over a four percent rise in the overall crime rate and a sharper 16 percent spike in cybercrimes and said internal security must remain a top priority.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed Superintendents of Police (SPs) to harness technology in tackling law-and-order challenges, warning that “certain elements” are deliberately trying to foment unrest in the state.
Speaking at the concluding session of the two-day Collectors and SPs’ conference at the state Secretariat in Velagapudi of Amaravati, on Tuesday, 16 September, Naidu urged officials to make full use of real-time governance systems to monitor emerging issues, counter misinformation, and take swift decisions to maintain peace.
A large part of the discussion centred on recent propaganda campaigns aimed at destabilising public order. Referring to the recent urea shortage controversy, Naidu stated that vested interests had engineered the scare.
“Rumours of scarcity were floated to create conflict between farmers and the government. Nearly 750 misleading posts originated from elements operating in the United States,” he revealed, stressing that such narratives must be nipped in the bud through vigilant surveillance and rapid responses.
Turning to crime trends, the chief minister expressed concern over a four percent rise in the overall crime rate and a sharper 16 percent spike in cybercrimes.
He painted a grim picture of the digital threat, pointing out that citizens in Andhra Pradesh are losing nearly ₹30 crore every month to cyber criminals. He described them as “tech-savvy masters” and urged the police to stay ahead with advanced tools, stronger forensic capabilities, and smarter investigations.
On drug-related offences, Naidu called for a relentless crackdown. He highlighted the need for aggressive campaigns against ganja consumption and transport, insisting that the menace must be treated as an ongoing battle, not a one-time effort. He also pressed for public awareness drives to prevent drug abuse, especially among youth.
Infrastructure and technology featured prominently in his address. He underlined the importance of CCTV networks for effective security monitoring. He expressed displeasure that poor regulation was a factor in nearly 90 percent of road accidents.
Quick response time, he said, was critical. “When a crime happens, police must reach the spot without delay,” he emphasised, recalling lapses in the high-profile 2019 murder of former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s brother, Vivekananda Reddy.
He pointed to the alleged washing away of blood stains by a Circle Inspector (CI) as an example of negligence.
To strengthen on-ground policing, Naidu suggested expanding dog squads to every revenue division and improving training for police dogs. He also called for better crime scene management.
Internal security, he said, must remain a top priority. A secure environment was vital for attracting investment and promoting tourism. Naidu pushed for ramping up intelligence surveillance and integrating systems with the state’s Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) for seamless information sharing.
Districts would be given more bandwidth, and police would be provided access to data across 42 key parameters, he added.
Drawing inspiration from Singapore, the chief minister recommended combining visible policing with invisible, tech-driven strategies to raise Andhra Pradesh’s law enforcement standards to global levels. He reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and called for an increase in conviction rates.
Naidu also announced that the 2017 case of a tribal girl’s death in Kurnool had been handed over to the CBI. He also directed officials to revisit sensitive cases from the previous regime, including the murders of Subrahmanyam, Dr Sudhakar, Chandrayya, and Amarnath Goud, to ensure justice.
Outlining ambitious targets, the chief minister said the government aimed to cut serious crimes by 50 percent through intensive anti-drug initiatives and deterrent action against repeat offenders. If criminals felt the “fear of law,” he said, a 30 percent reduction in crime compared to last year was possible, along with higher public satisfaction levels.
Naidu recalled his past experiences in handling communal violence. He underlined the importance of a quick response in law enforcement. “If the police can reach a crime scene within an hour, potential offenders will think twice before committing a crime,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
