Date:20/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/20/stories/2005042012860400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR charge of inciting agitators refuted

Staff Reporter

Our partymen did their best to retrieve the situation, says B.V. Raghavulu in a letter to the Chief Minister. CPI(M) blames State machinery for Thotapalli violence

Packing a punch: B.V. Raghavulu.

HYDERABAD: The CPI(M) has refuted the charge of the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, that its party activists incited displaced persons of the Thotapalli project, resulting in violence on April 17.

In a strongly-worded letter to Dr. Reddy, B.V. Raghavulu, secretary of the party, accused officials and the police of inciting and resorting to violence on protestors who were staging a peaceful demonstration.

He said leaders of the party had in fact tried to bring the situation under control.

The CPI(M) secretary expressed displeasure at the filing of cases of attempted murder, theft of arms and misbehaviour with women against several leaders, including S. Punyavati, honorary president of AIDWA, the party MLA, L. Lakshamana Murthy, and M. Krishnamurthy, CPI(M) district secretary.

He described the cases as "false" and expressed surprise that the Government viewed them as persons with intent to commit murders and outraging modesty of women.

By adopting such policies, Mr. Raghavulu cautioned Dr. Reddy, the Government would lose its credibility.

He said the ideal solution for the administration would have been to call public representatives for discussions to resolve the issue, but it failed to do this.

Mr. Raghavulu suggested that the Government intervene in holding talks with leaders of Thotapalli-displaced persons. He demanded withdrawal of the false cases.

He urged Dr. Reddy to finalise and implement a policy for the benefit of persons displaced by takeover of land for several irrigation projects.