Kakinada: The transfer of 114 police personnel -- constables, head constables and assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) -- to Alluri Sitarama Raju district from Kakinada, including from Anaparthi circle (erstwhile East Godavari), has raised a row.
Some of the transferred officials say they have crossed age 55 and some others argue that they had served in the agency area in the past.
The police personnel working in the agency area for several years had appealed to the government to transfer them to the plains. They also approached the high court, which gave a verdict in favour of these police personnel.
Citing guidelines, the state DGP thereon advised the SPs of the concerned districts to do the transfers.
Meanwhile, the district police officials prepared seniority lists and informed the police personnel working in plain areas to move to the agency. Many police personnel who have crossed age 55 and had already served in agency areas sought an exemption from transfer to the agency areas. Some 42 police personnel approached the high court, seeking justice for them.
Meanwhile, the Kakinada SP, Satish Kumar, made the transfers. According to an ASI, the officials suggested to the transferred police personnel that they were free to submit their objections or concerns in this respect. “More than 100 police personnel submitted their grievances like “poor” health condition of their family members, advanced age, previous record of work in agency area etc. But the officials ignored all these.
“I worked in the anti-Naxal squad for several years in the agency area when the Maoist menace was high. The government gave me appreciation certificates and awards. Now, the senior officials again put my name in the transfer list. They say ‘deputation duties’ of the past will not be considered,'' a policeman said.
According to the affidavit filed before the high court of AP, the police personnel said that as per a clause in the transfers, there is an exemption to the AR personnel who converted to civil, from transfers from plain area to agency area, as they had served in the agency area while they were in Armed Reserve.
Similarly, the personnel have also worked in anti-Naxal squads in agency areas and most of the time, they stayed in the forests. Subsequently, they were posted to the plains from agency areas.
According to another ASI, if the government wants to transfer the police personnel, the officials are considering only the BR Ambedkar Konaseema district and Kakinada district, but not the Rajamahendravaram Urban and East Godavari districts. While taking the promotion lists, they will be included. “This is unjust,” he said.
Meanwhile, the SP told Deccan Chronicle that no ‘proper’ objections were submitted to his office by cops about transfers. The transfers process has been completed, he said.
