The GVMC recognised union has demanded arrest of five Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists who had allegedly attacked Additional Commissioner K. Ramesh.
Addressing a media conference here on Friday, honorary president of the recognised union M. Ananda Rao demanded arrest of Ganga Rao, Subba Rao, Kumar, Srinivas and Bhagyalakshmi, who allegedly attacked the Additional Commissioner, during their protest. He alleged that the CPI(M), which claims to be espousing the cause of Dalits was not giving them their due in the party. The top leaders belong to upper castes and were misusing the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act to suppress officials.
Representatives of various unions in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation condemned the attitude of the CPI(M) leaders and demanded action against those responsible for the attack on the official. Mr. Ramesh has already lodged a complaint with the Three Town police against the CPI(M) activists.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) Greater Visakha city secretary B. Ganga Rao and executive member R.K.S.V. Kumar demanded action against the Additional Commissioner for what they called his ‘high-handed’ behaviour. They alleged that the Additional Commissioner had behaved in an indecent manner with the CPI(M) leaders, including women, while they were protesting against the installation of water meters and handing over of water supply to private persons. They also alleged that the official had, instead of apologising to them, filed a counter case against them.
They demanded that the higher officials should conduct an enquiry and initiate action against the Additional Commissioner.
Demolition decried
The CPI(M) leaders also protested the demolition of the houses of the poor near the Kamakshi temple at Pendurthy and sought reconstruction of houses for them at the same place. They alleged that the GVMC was intimidating those who were pulling up the officials and public representatives on the problems in their ward at the Rachabanda programme. They alleged that on the orders of the Additional Commissioner, water supply was stopped at Ambedkar Nagar near Pendurthy for the last two days as the residents demanded a solution to their problems at Rachabanda.
