Stating that the Andhra Pradesh state police have a bad human rights record, the German firm Heckler & Koch, which manufactures small arms and assault guns, has decided not to supply 9mm pistols and MP5 submachine guns to the state police.
The German firm took into account complaints by human rights organisations and groups who alleged that the Andhra Pradesh police had staged fake encounters while dealing with Maoist groups.
Sources at the state police headquarters told this newspaper that the state had put in an order for 9mm pistols for VIP security for the Intelligence security wing and other assault weapons for Octopus, a commando unit that was formed to deal with the terror groups. Since the AP police were branded as “rights violators”, the Germany firm has declined to supply the arms.
Heckler & Koch is one of the leading manufacturer and exporter of small arms, self-loading pistols, submachine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns and 40mm grenade machine guns to military and police forces in various countries.
A senior police official said, “We have earlier purchased weapons from Heckler & Koch. We import weapons with the permission of the ministry of home affairs. Now, since the order for 9mm pistols has been denied, there is a serious discussion going in the department to see that a protest is lodged with them.”
The move to deny selling arms is seen as a big setback for VIP security and anti-naxal and anti-terror operations in the state. An IG-level official of the state police said, “The anti-Maoists Greyhounds have imported enough weapons over the past few years. There is, however, a need for procurement for the anti-terror force Octopus.” When contacted. the director-general of police Mr R.R. Girish Kumar said, “I haven’t seen their letter. We don’t know their considerations. I can’t comment off-hand on that.”