Date:23/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/23/stories/2005042310040400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) seeks release of party leaders

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The CPI(M) legislature party has urged the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to take steps to release its member, K. Laxmana Murthy, and other leaders who were arrested in the wake of violence that broke out during a demonstration to demand compensation to Thotapalli project victims in Vizianagaram district.

The party MLAs who called on Dr. Reddy on Friday to make the request also wanted withdrawal of cases against the arrested persons and a judicial inquiry into the incident. They said the cases were falsely booked.

At a press conference, Kolli Nageswara Rao, president, Rytu Sangham, demanded payment of compensation to land oustees even before the projects were grounded.