DYFI demands increase in A.P. constable posts, revised police recruitment notification

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Friday demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government immediately revise the recent police recruitment notification and substantially increase the number of constable posts, warning that unemployed youth would intensify their agitation if the demand was not met.

Speaking at a protest organised at Dharna Chowk here, DYFI State secretary G. Ramanna alleged that the notification issued by the State Level Police Recruitment Board had disappointed thousands of aspirants by providing for only 1,156 constable and 378 Sub-Inspector posts, despite repeated assurances by the government that a large number of police vacancies would be filled.

He demanded that the government increase the number of constable posts by 11,639 and issue a revised notification. He claimed that nearly eight lakh unemployed youth across the State had been preparing for police recruitment, spending years attending coaching centres, study halls and libraries.

Mr. Ramanna said the government and the Home Minister had on several occasions stated that around 20,000 police constable posts were vacant and would be filled. Relying on these assurances, aspirants had continued their preparations, he said, adding that the latest notification had caused disappointment among them.

DYFI State president M.V. Ramana presided over the protest. The protesters later attempted to take out a rally from Dharna Chowk, but the police stopped them at Alankar Centre. The protesters subsequently staged a sit-in on the road.

The DYFI leaders demanded that the government stop what they described as the harassment and detention of unemployed youth and allow them to peacefully express their grievances. They also sought free coaching centres in every Assembly constituency for police recruitment aspirants.

They further demanded that the upper age limit for constable aspirants be raised to 35 years, citing the lack of regular recruitment notifications, and sought an end to what they alleged was harassment of private coaching centres.

Mr. Ramanna alleged that the government had failed to fulfil assurances on employment opportunities for youth made before coming to power. Referring to assurances made during the Yuva Galam padayatra, he said the government should address the concerns of unemployed youth.

DYFI State treasurer Abdullah and State leaders Veeresh, Anjaneyaraju, Ganesh, Shiva, Surendra Babu, Narasimha, Prakash Babu, Ghouse, Basava and Nizamuddin, among others, participated in the protest.