Wednesday, Nov 20, 2002
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2002 |
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By Dasu Kesava Rao
The mood was never more in evidence than in the Assembly, which set aside the entire listed business on Tuesday to discuss the issue. It unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the "ghastly killing," condoling the deaths and expressing sympathies to the bereaved families. The Government graciously accepted the amendment proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, incorporating an appeal to the PW to eschew violence, which has no place in a democracy, and return to the mainstream. The BJP earlier gave an adjournment notice and the Government informed the Speaker, K. Prathibha Bharati, about its intent to make a suo motu statement on the issue. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a marathon statement, condemned the killing of innocent persons and announced a liberal relief package to the bereaved — Rs.3 lakhs ex-gratia, house-site and job to one member, up to Rs.1 lakh each to the injured. It was welcomed by all sections of the House. Mr. Naidu, who cancelled all other engagements, flew to Eturunagaram, accompanied by the Home Minister, T. Devender Goud, the Major Irrigation Minister, K. Srihari, who represents Warangal district, the DGP, P. Ramulu, the BJP floor leader, N. Indrasena Reddy, and a few other MLAs. There were tense moments in the mid-forest town in the evening when Mr. Naidu's chopper developed a technical snag. He was then put in another copter and flown to Warangal. For sheer horrendousness and toll of human lives, Monday's carnage near Chintagudem reminds one of the torching of Kakatiya Express at Ghatkesar, about 30 km from here, a decade ago in which nearly 50 persons were charred to death. The PW had then regretted it as a mistake. Taunting the PW for its habitual "regrets and explanations of mistaken identity,'' Mr. Naidu said it seemed to have the single point agenda of killing policemen and politicians while "we have so many problems to attend to.'' The Chief Minister noted that PW activities extended to several States. Congressmen here wanted him to talk it out with the PW, but did nothing of the kind where the party was in power. Talking to reporters before leaving for the spot, he noted with concern that the PW was expanding its area of activities and moving into newer areas (from Telangana to coastal Andhra). Mr. Naidu said the people were no longer attracted by the naxalite ideology, but were drawn into the movement "vexed by personal or social problems or as ome kind of revenge'' against society. Were not ordinary people getting caught and killed in the police-PW crossfire? If the police did not step in, there would be no stopping the extremists and ``the situation will be much worse.'' All the victims and the injured were almost entirely from the weaker sections. Among the dead was the brother of a naxalite killed in a police encounter the previous day. The Governor, C. Rangarajan, and others condemned the attack. The Union Minister for Petroleum, Ram Naik, and Mr. Naidu cancelled their trip to Rajahmundry to attend the launch of ethanol-blended petrol in the State.
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