Law and order ensures investor confidence, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called upon the police to instil fear among the criminals in the ‘khaki uniform’ and trust among the victims, while stressing that crime prevention, technological advancement and humane policing are essential for establishing an effective law and order system.

Addressing the Police Martyrs’ Memorial Day programme at the Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) 6th Battalion in Mangalagiri in Guntur district on Wednesday, Mr. Naidu said every citizen should be able to sleep peacefully and every individual's property should be protected.

“Andhra Pradesh should become a model in law and order,” the Chief Minister said, describing it as the most fitting tribute to the police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

The Chief Minister, Home Minister V. Anitha, Director-General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta and Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad paid floral tributes at the memorial, observed silence and honoured the police martyrs.

On the occasion, Mr. Naidu released two books, ‘Shaheed Pustak Toli’ and ‘Amarulu Vaaru’, and contributed to the Police Commemoration Fund.

Recalling the sacrifice of 10 police personnel who died fighting the Chinese troops in Ladakh on October 21, 1959, the Chief Minister said the day was observed annually to honour police personnel who laid down their lives for the nation and public safety.

Highlighting the connection between security and economic development, Mr. Naidu said investors would not come to the areas plagued by unrest and insecurity. He lauded the Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence wing for uncovering conspiracies threatening national security and commended the EAGLE team for its efforts to curb ganja and drugs.

Emphasising the need for technology-driven policing, he called for greater use of CCTV cameras, drones, Artificial Intelligence and data analytics to improve surveillance, investigation and crime prevention. Cybercrime required particular attention, as fraudsters were stealing people's hard-earned savings through phone calls, links and messages, he said.

Mr. Naidu directed the police not to tolerate criminal activities under political cover, and called for strict action against rowdies and anti-social elements. He also stressed women's safety, road accident prevention and a compassionate approach towards complainants.

Urging the police personnel to maintain physical and mental fitness through yoga and meditation, the Chief Minister assured support to the martyrs’ families and continued efforts towards police welfare. He inspected the departmental exhibitions showcasing forensic and disaster-relief equipment, modern weapons and surveillance drones.