The Hindu : Goud defends police lathicharge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Goud defends police lathicharge

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad Feb. 25 . The Government here on Tuesday claimed that the police were compelled to use force during the CPI(M)-organised dharna at the Ranga Reddy Collectorate on Monday.

Making a statement in the Assembly on Tuesday on the incidents of the statewide agitation, the Home Minister, T. Devender Goud, said the agitators had turned violent even while police made efforts to allow a delegation inside for meeting the Collector. Having no other alternative, the police used force to disperse the crowd and arrested six leaders, including D. G. Narsimha Rao, district secretary of the party. The Minister stated that about 100 party members, led by Mr Narsimha Rao, had organised the dharna at the place without permission. At 10.15 am, the District Collector was prevented by them from entering his office. However, the Collector went in with the help of police.

Mr Goud said the agitators were advised that they could meet the Collector in his office and that a delegation would be allowed in for the purpose. The crowd "turned violent'' and continued with the slogan-shouting. They made an attack on police, injuring five of them, and tried to break open the gate. The Home Minister said, about 1,000 agitators were taken into preventive custody in the districts but all of them were released later on bail.

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