The Congress' attempt to go to Mallannasagar — which is in the thick of controversy over farm lands being taken away for construction of a reservoir — in support of the famers was thwarted by the police at Gandhi Bhavan in the city with the arrest of all top Congress leaders.
The vehicles were not allowed by the police to leave Gandhi Bhavan, which forced the Congress leaders to get down and walk but they were arrested by the strong contingent of the police just a few meters after they started their protest walk.
There were strong protests from the leaders as the police informed them that their visit to Mallannasagar was not permitted due to prohibitory orders. After lots of jostling and strong resistance from the Congress cadres the police finally arrested them and shifted them to different police stations.
TPCC working president, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka; CLP leader, K. Jana Reddy; MLAs Vamshichand Reddy, T. Rammohan Reddy; former Ministers Shabbir Ali, Marri Shashidhar Reddy; former Union Ministers, S Jaipal Reddy, Balram Nayak, Congress leaders Addanki Dayakar, Banda Chandra Reddy, Vinod Reddy, Konagala Mahesh were among who were arrested.
Speaking to the media, Mr.Vikramarka and Jana Reddy criticised the Government for suppressing their democratic right to visit the proposed project site and support the farmers who were earlier injured in the police lathicharge. The leaders were critical of the Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao and the Government policies towards farmers. They said Government was threatening the farmers and forcibly snatching away their only livelihood.
Former Ministers D.K. Aruna, Ponnala Lakshmaiah and others headed straight to Mallannasagar.
Drama began since morning itself with the police arriving at Gandhi Bhavan at 8 am itself sending a message that the yatra to Mallannasagar would not be permitted. Large number policemen surrounded the Gandhi Bhavan ensuring that none of the Congress leaders would leave the place .
Traffic came to a standstill on the Nampally stretch with Congress leaders and cadres coming in large numbers.
