Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111853580300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Tribals seek arrest of 15 Congress leaders

Staff Reporter

Insult to Gond leader Nago Rao causes heartburn

ADILABAD: Tribal and SC organisations on Monday demanded arrest of 15 Congress workers from Khanapur mandal under the SC, ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act for insulting Mesram Nago Rao, a Gond leader at Sunday’s Congress party meeting at Khanapur (ST) Assembly constituency level.

A case has already been registered against the activists in question on a complaint from Mr. Nago Rao.

Mr. Nago Rao a former IPS officer who got defeated as Congress candidate in the last byelection from Khanapur constituency, said, the insult was caused when the workers demanded his expulsion from the Utnoor meeting.

He said he had lodged a complaint in a personal capacity.

Mr. Nago Rao had accompanied members of the SC, ST rights protection society, Adilabad, who had addressed a press conference demanding arrest of the accused in this case.

Meanwhile, different organisations staged a rasta roko at Utnoor to press for the arrest of those accused of insulting Mr. Nago Rao.

The Nago Rao episode has the potential of further distancing the Gond tribes from the Congress party.

Already, leaders from the tribe are airing grouse about being cold shouldered constantly.