Police counsel rowdy sheeters ahead of TS elections

HYDERABAD: With the state set to go to polls by the year-end, the police across the three commissionerates of the city have started counseling rowdy sheeters, with over 1,000 attending the sessions at their respective police stations.

The sessions focused on emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law and refraining from any disruptive activity that could compromise the safety and harmony of the city during the elections.

The police said that the objective of the move is to ensure a peaceful and safe environment during the electoral process, by engaging with individuals with a criminal history, to curb menace.

West zone DCP Joel Davis told Deccan Chronicle: “Our aim is to create an atmosphere of cooperation and ensure peaceful conduct of the elections. We engage with individuals who have a history of involvement in criminal activities to address any potential security threat and maintain public order during the crucial voting period.”  

“The counselling sessions cover topics such as the significance of democratic values, the importance of respecting the rule of law, and the responsibility of citizens in upholding integrity. We have a special eye on repeated offenders and are kept under ongoing surveillance,” Davis said.

Each police station maintains a list of approximately 50 to 100 rowdy sheeters.

“We deploy police officers in shifts to counsel them. Individuals with a repeated criminal history or those who appear violent are closely monitored. We are closely monitoring potential trouble spots and have increased patrolling in sensitive areas. Additionally, we are working in close collaboration with election officials and other officials to foster a safe environment,” the DCP said.