AP police don't want another 'Chalo Vijayawada', take steps to curb Millenium March

Amaravati: All eyes are on the Millennium March which is being organised by the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Employees' Association of Andhra Pradesh on 1 September demanding withdrawal of CPS. The state police, worried that the march will be a success like February's 'Chalo Vijayawada', are taking steps to stop the Millenium March.

Government employees have been demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme as promised by Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy during his padayatra. When their demands remained fulfilled after several representations and meetings, the employees gave a call for the 'Millennium March'. The teachers of the state have declared that they will lay a siege in front of Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy's residence in Tadepalli on 1 September.

Ganesh Chaturthi: An easy way to enter the city

Ahead of the Millenium March, the Vijayawada police have been conducting surprise checks in all hotels and lodges in the city. The police have asked lodge owners not to allot rooms without verifying people's identity cards. More than 5,000 police personnel are deployed for patrolling and vigil duties in the city.

But the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on 31 August is a good chance for the protestors to enter the city. In February, the employees had to come two days ahead for Chalo Vijayawada, but on Wednesday, the festival rush is likely to give the police a tough time to conduct checks. The police have deployed staff at railway stations, bus stations, and toll gates to identify the protestors.

Notices to employees' union

The Andhra Pradesh police have started serving notices under CrPC 149 to teachers' unions across the state asking them not to visit Vijayawada for the Millenium March. They have also warned private bus operators and taxi owners not to carry employees to Vijayawada during the next three days. "Some of our teachers were warned not to go outside their homes till 1 September and their two-wheelers were seized. A few were also issued notices, and police teams are moving around our residential areas," said a teacher from Guntur.

Meanwhile, the face recognition attendance system app introduced for teachers in the state is likely to be one way to identify those attending the march.

No permission for the march

All district unit police have been given instructions to stop employees from entering Vijayawada city for the march. NTR district police commissioner Kanthi Rana Tata said Section 144 of CrPC and Section 30 of the Police Act will be imposed in the city on 1 September. Ahead of the march, anyone found acting suspiciously will be taken into preventive custody.

"Intelligence reports say that anti-social forces are planning to create disturbances on 1 September. Action under sections 143, 427, 283, 341, 506, 120(B) R/W 149 of the IPC will be taken against those participating in the march," said a police officer.