Families of TGSP personnel protested in Hyderabad, voicing concerns about the working conditions of Special Police. Gathering outside the secretariat, they expressed their grievances over the inadequate conditions faced by the Special Police personnel
Published Oct 27, 2024 | 3:28 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2024 | 3:50 PM
Telangana Special Police personnel and their families have taken to the streets to demand police reforms in the state
On 26 October, the Telangana Police suspended 39 personnel from the Telangana Special Police (TGSP) forces for ‘inciting agitation among the battalion.’ The suspension comes in light of the protests the TGSP and their families organised over 25 and 26 October. With the families taking to the streets outside the Secretariat near Tank Bund, the TGSP personnel took the protest statewide.
They protested in Ibrahimpatnam, Mamnoor, Chalvai, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Anneparthy, Mancherial, and Sircilla, demanding police reforms.
On 25 October, the families of the TGSP personnel took to the streets of Hyderabad, protesting the working conditions of the Special Police. Organising a protest outside the secretariat, they aired their grievances regarding the poor working conditions of the Special Police personnel.
They were stopped at the entrance where the police had to detain some of the family members, even resorting to a mild lathi charge to control the crowd. Speaking to the media, a protestor detailed how her husband was denied leave despite their child falling sick. Other protestors also questioned why the Special Police personnel were deprived of a normal life despite going through the same recruitment process as the other police personnel.
The protest also attracted support from R S Praveen, a former IPS officer and member of the BRS. Calling the conditions atrocious, he met with the protestors to show solidarity.
.@TelanganaCMO
This is atrocious. @revanth_anumula ,
Wake up from your deep slumber at least now. She is the wife of a constable and she is pregnant and also a mother of an infant. She is fighting for justice for thousands of constables like her husband in Telangana today.… pic.twitter.com/bUm4IIzjxT— Dr.RS Praveen Kumar (@RSPraveenSwaero) October 25, 2024
On 26 October, the Special Police personnel continued the protest at battalion headquarters across the state. Coming out in uniform to protest the long working hours, they took issue with the recent change in the leave policy. The administration, through a GO, increased the waiting period for leave from 15 days to 26 days, creating much furore among the personnel.
During the protests, the personnel demanded ek police, a call for ‘One State, One Police.’ The personnel also raised slogans of “TGSP hatao, ek police lao” (remove TGSP and unify the police). They demanded that the special police be integrated into the regular law enforcement and civil policing workforce. Notably, Tamil Nadu already practices this, the special police personnel are eligible to be integrated into the regular police after serving a set number of years.
On 26 October, the Director General of Police (DGP), Telangana, issued a press note in response to the TGSP protests. Calling the TGSP’s system of duties several decades long, it explained three categories of police constables. Explaining that Civil Police and Armed Police are responsible for investigations and law enforcement, it continued: “The TGSP addresses statewide law and order issues.”
Calling the TGSP track record excellent, it further read that most of the states in India follow a similar system.
“Moreover salaries and allowance to police personnel in the state are highest compared to other states (sic.),” it read. It further explained that the Police Department takes welfare measures for the TGSP.
“The Police Department will consider the concerns of the TGSP personnel on merits and with sympathy,” the press note reassured. However, it held that the personnel’s protest was ‘inappropriate’ and could tarnish the image of uniformed officers.
Appealing to the personnel and their families to resume their duties as usual. It urged them to present their grievances through systemic mechanisms, reiterating that indiscipline in the uniformed forces will be penalised.
39 TGSP personnel were suspended across the state
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
