Date:04/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020458660500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Opposition bid to pitch tent for protest over VSP jobs foiled

Staff Reporter

27 leaders arrested, released on personal bond

Yerran Naidu condemns arrest of opposition leaders
TDP to raise plight of displaced persons in budget session

—Photo:C.V.Subrahmanyam

I’m with you: Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party leader K. Yerran Naidu calling on Opposition leaders who were being brought to Harbour Police Station after their arrest near Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Sunday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The police on Sunday thwarted an attempt by the Opposition parties to erect a dharna camp on Bala Cheruvu road in Gajuwaka area to press for their demand for jobs to families displaced by Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

In all, 27 leaders including Zaheer Ahmad, Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, Kona Tata Rao (TDP), Ch. Narsinga Rao, K. Loknadham (CPI-M), A. J. Stalin (CPI) and Pulli Gorappa of VSP Displaced Persons’ Struggle Committee were arrested and lodged at Harbour police station. Later in the evening they were let off on personal bond.

The relay fast by the all-party committee was removed on the premises of VSP on January 24 following violence at the administrative building.

The protesters wanted jobs in the Rs.9,000-crore expansion project to the rehabilitation card holders who lost their land for the steel plant three decades ago.

Slogan shouting

Earlier, hundreds of activists belonging to the Opposition parties gathered at the venue to put up the camp after some of the leaders of TDP and CPI (M) met Commissioner of Police N. Sambasiva Rao and sought his permission for erecting a camp outside the VSP township. A letter seeking permission was also submitted on Friday.

TD Parliamentary Party leader K. Yerran Naidu went to the Harbour police station and called on the arrested leaders. He told reporters that the Congress Government was trying to crush democratic protests and condemned the arrest of Opposition leaders.

He said the TDP would raise the plight of displaced persons in the budget session of Parliament and insist on permanent employment to their family members.Mr. Narsinga Rao said at the time of establishment of VSP, 6,400 out of total 14,000 jobs were given to the displaced persons.

Now due to expansion, 2,000 permanent posts would arise due to awarding of contracts for jobs of permanent nature. “As per their eligibility, jobs should be given to displaced persons,” he said.