Date:15/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/15/stories/2006081506260300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

CID probe sought into Congress leader's murder

Staff Reporter

Activists of the CPI stage a dharna in front of the Collectorate

`Congress leaders from Tadipatri trying to implicate CPI leader'
`Vishwanatha Reddy and his supporters do not have criminal background'

Compensation sought for property loss in Congress supporters' attacks

ANANTAPUR: The district unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Monday seeking a CID probe into the suspicious murder of Congress leader P. Kulasekhar Reddy near Tadipatri on Friday night.

Speaking on the occasion, district secretary of the party M.V. Ramana alleged that Congress leaders of Tadipatri constituency were trying to implicate Vishwanatha Reddy of CPI and his supporters in the case, keeping in mind that the CPI leader had fielded his aunt in the recent gram panchayat elections against the mother of the deceased.

Impartial probe

He felt that only an impartial probe by an agency like CID would bring out the truth. Neither Vishwanatha Reddy nor his supporters had any criminal background, he claimed and said it was the CPI leader who had informed the police about the burning car in his orchard.

The fact that the car in which Kulasekhar Reddy was travelling was burnt in the orchard belonging to Vishwanatha Reddy made it clear that somebody had committed the crime there to implicate the latter so that they could get away easily, Mr. Ramana reasoned.

There appeared to be a conspiracy behind the killing, he said.

`Book cases'

The CPI secretary also wanted booking of criminal cases against those responsible for the arson in Chukkaluru after the suspicious death of Kulasekhar Reddy including the burning of houses a tractors belonging to Vishwanatha Reddy and his supporters.

He also demanded the Government payment of compensation for the property loss in the Congress supporters' attacks.

Besides, he also sought protection for the lives and properties of CPI supporters in the village. Later, a memorandum was submitted to DRO M. Sudarshan Reddy.

Delegation meets YSR

Meanwhile, a CPI delegation comprising S. Sudhakar Reddy, MP, K. Narayana, State secretary and K. Ramakrishna called on Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at Hyderabad on Monday and urged him to order a CID probe into the Congress leader's suspicious death.

Dr. Reddy was said to have assured them of ordering a CID probe, if necessary, and protection to CPI supporters.