Central para-military forces to protect IT firms in AP

Andhra Pradesh Government is focusing on providing foolproof security to IT firms in view of the attacks on some of them during pro-Telangana agitation last December and early this year, highly-placed officials said today.

In fact, the Government appointed an Inspector-General of Police-rank officer as the nodal authority for ensuring security of IT companies as well as personnel in the wake of the attacks that resulted in loss of several working days.

Global IT majors like Microsoft, Infosys, GE, Wipro, HSBC, Accenture, Dell, IBM and TCS have large establishments in Hyderabad with thousands of employees.

"We would like to see that the IT companies do not become the target in case of any trouble erupting on the statehood issue. It will, otherwise, be an irreparable loss not just to the IT companies but to the state as well," a top government official noted.

Last year's political turmoil and the statehood agitations have affected not only the IT sector but also the other industries, hindering flow of fresh investments into the state, the official pointed out.

The state would not like a repeat of last year's violent incidents, he added. The Centre has already moved in about 10,000 personnel of the para-military forces for maintaining peace in the state, particularly Hyderabad.