MLA Anam, officials tussle on sand or moram

NELLORE: Top brass of AP’s Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) are arriving at Venkatagiri in Nellore district on November 5 following outburst of YSRC legislator and former finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy that SEB is booking cases and harassing people over transporting sand when what they are dealing in is only “moram”.

Ramanarayana Reddy, MLA from Venkatagiri, has taken objection to cases being filed by police against people transporting what is called as “moram”, which looks like sand, but is not fit for construction and only used for levelling the floor.

“My house where I was born is on banks of Penna River. I have to now learn from SEB how sand looks like,” the ruling party legislator remarked in a sarcastic tone, quoting joint director Srilakshmi maintaining that they have only booked cases over illegal transport of sand and not “moram”.

“Because cases are being booked and vehicles seized, people are forced to spend ₹ 15,000–20,000 in getting their seized vehicles released,” Ramanarayana Reddy pointed out. He said he has made it clear to SEB officers the cases being filed are illegal and he will stand by victims when such cases are booked.

“When I said we will take action against police, the joint director responded saying she will enquire and take action against SEB officers if cases booked are illegal,” the Venkatagiri MLA stated.

In this regard, he said he has spoken to advisor to government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy who spoke to Director of SEB and SP Nellore, asking them to reach Venkatagiri and sort out the issue. “State-level police officials and district SP are coming to Venkatagiri on November 5 or 6 to render justice after listening to victims,” he added.