HYDERABAD: Director-general of police V Dinesh Reddy on Thursday flexed his muscles to deter Telangana protesters planning a rail blockade from Oct 15, threatening to book them under the Railways Act and send them to prison for 10 years or even life.“Not just removing or tampering with fish plates, we won’t even permit you (agitators) to squat on the tracks,” Dinesh Reddy said at a press conference.The DGP’s strong words triggered a furious reaction from Telangana groups and a barrage of criticism from all political parties, which alleged that the police chief was donning the role of a judge.The DGP meant the press conference as a show of resolve to discourage any violence during the rail blockade.Flanked by a host of senior IPS officers, he made it clear that police personnel have been instructed not to be lenient with any protestor -- as he claimed they have been so far.“One hour or a day is a symbolic protest.But carrying out protests for days together is inhumane, outrageous and can’t be tolerated,’’ Dinesh Reddy said.“When you cross the limit, we have to deal with the situation severely.’’ He vowed to go after not just the agitators but the organisers of the rail roko as well.“Those who instigate the protesters are equally liable,’’ he warned.Asked about the participation of even Congress MPs in the rail roko, Dinesh Reddy said they would be treated like any other protestor.Then he played soft cop: ``It really pains me to punish protesters.They (agitators) will have to spend life behind bars.Students will not get jobs.Employees will be dismissed,’’ Asked why South Central Railways has cancelled trains when it has been assured such stringent security, the DGP said the railways was only playing safe.Dinesh Reddy’s strong words earned him severe criticism by political parties.Congress MP K Keshava Rao said if protesters are treated with brute force, he would be ready to take the first bullet.CPI state secretary K Narayana came down heavily on Dinesh Reddy.“Is he the Supreme Court to send protestors for life imprisonment?’’ he asked.TRS MLA T Harish Rao said they won’t be cowed by the DGP’s threats.“We are ready to go to prison and won’t defer the agitation.The police can book any number of cases they want,’’ he said.TRS MLA KT Rama Rao said the police chief was speaking like a political leader.“He should join politics and contest in elections before making such statements,” he advised the DGP.
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