Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072753861000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Cops, Left parties injured in protest

Staff Reporter

KADAPA: Picketing of Kadapa Collectorate by CPI, CPI(M) and TDP functionaries took a violent turn with police personnel caning protesters who stormed into the premises on Thursday.

Armed Reserve DSP K. Sekhar, Home Guards Platoon Commander Chinna Reddaiah and about half a dozen constables and several Leftist activists suffered injuries when they grappled with each other. About four Left party members fainted during the two-and-half-hour protest. CPI (M) leaders N. Ravisankar Reddy, D.C. Venkataiah and some others suffered lathi blows. Those injured were shifted to RIMS hospital here. Protesters hurled slippers at policemen.

Even as 10 CPI and CPI (M) members continued their indefinite hunger strike demanding allotment of house sites, houses and agricultural lands to the poor, Left parties and TDP picketed the Collectorate.

Police personnel closed the gates of the Collectorate but protesters forced their way into it and demonstrated raising slogans against the Government and Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

TDP district political coordinating secretary B. Hariprasad, CPI leader K. Linga Murthy, DYFI secretary B. Manohar and others went round various offices on the Collectorare premises and sent employees away.

CPI district secretary G. Obulesu alleged that the poor have no faith that the Government would construct 60 lakh houses for poor in the State.