Date:10/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/10/stories/2005041007650400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TDP decries threats by Paritala murder accused

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 9. The Telugu Desam Party has asked the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, to explain their "silence" over the threats being issued by the accused in the murder of the TDP MLA, Paritala Ravi, to finish off their rivals.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, the former Minister, S. Chandramohan Reddy, said that the Government's "indifference" to such threats raised serious apprehensions about the safety of TDP leaders before municipal elections.

Mr. Reddy took exception to life convicts and murder accused making provocative statements in Anantapur recently. Never before had such instances of prisoners throwing open challenge witnessed in the State, he said and added that Andhra Pradesh was fast surpassing Bihar in lawlessness.