The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed amid escalating tensions between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Telangana's Nalgonda district. The CRPF personnel were deployed after the Union Home Ministry intervened to alleviate the tension between the two states regarding the dam across the Krishna River.
On Friday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla conducted a video conference with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of both states. Both states concurred with the suggestion made by the Union Home Secretary that, concerning the release of water from the dam, the conditions prevailing before November 28 should be reinstated. Additionally, control of the dam is to be transferred to the Krishna River Water Management Board (KRMB), and CRPF personnel are to be stationed at the dam, according to a report on IANS.
In the video conference, Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari reported that on the night of November 29, 500 armed Andhra Pradesh police personnel intruded onto the dam. They vandalized CCTV cameras and by manipulating the head regulator released 5,000 cusecs of water. She informed the Union Home Secretary that this action by the Andhra Pradesh police led to a law and order issue particularly on a day when Telangana was engrossed in the proceedings of the state Assembly elections.
She complained that Andhra Pradesh has resorted to such action for the second time.
On Saturday, Union Jal Shakti Ministry also called a meeting to resolve the issue between the two states. The ministry has invited Chief Secretaries of both the state and the Chairman of KRMB, officials of the Central Water Commission and the Directors general of the CRPF and the CISF.
Earlier, Telangana Police registered two cases against Andhra Pradesh Police for trespass.