The State police has reiterated that it will act tough against those who try to enforce Rail Roko agitation scheduled from October 15 to 17 as part of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme by Telangana Political Joint Action Committee.

Addressing a press conference at the State Police Headquarters on Thursday, Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy said that the police would book cases under the Railways Act and other serious offences if the train services were disrupted in the State. Quoting over a dozen sections of Railways Act, Indian Penal Code and other provisions in the law, the DGP advised the activist to restrain from participating in the agitation. "This time we will apply the Railways Act of 1989. All offences under the Act are non-bailable and the punishments vary from 10 years to life imprisonment," the DGP said.

Without disclosing the figures, the DGP said that enough number of security personnel belonging to CRPF, RAF, CPMF, BSF, APSP and the State police have been deployed across the region in view of Rail Roko agitation. He said additional forces would be called from the neighbouring States, if required. He also confirmed that 18 companies of Central Reserve Force have been diverted to Hyderabad by the Central Government.

Giving a hint that cases booked under the Railways Act could not be withdrawn, the DGP reminded of 294 cases that were earlier booked under the Railways Act. He said although the State police wanted to withdraw those cases, the Railway Board has rejected the proposal and police is now going ahead with the cases. "We are not mentioning various Sections to threaten the activists or organisers, but to educate them. If we apply the Railways Act, then the common students and people who are participating in the strike would suffer," he said. Additional DG (Law & Order​) SA Huda and other senior police officials were also present during the press conference.