AP Police Book TD, JS, CPI Leaders for Flash Protest

Tirupati: Police have registered cases against 16 leaders of Telugu Desam, Jana Sena, and Communist Party of India for organising a flash protest in Nellore on Wednesday despite police denying permission for the same.

Leaders and activists of the three parties had rallied at the VRC intersection in a dramatic manner protesting against the arrest of TD chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. They later proceeded to the Gandhi Bomma Centre and raised slogans against the YSRC government.

Police on Thursday filed cases under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 149 (common intention) of IPC against 16 individuals, including former union minister Panabaka Lakshmi, former state minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, MLAs Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy and Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, former MLA Pasam Sunil Kumar, Rama Krishna, Kambam Vijayarami Reddy, Kotamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy, N. Subrahmanyam, and Malepati Subba Naidu.

TD leaders had in advance sought permission for a peaceful rally in Nellore on Wednesday. However, police denied the same, citing concerns related to law and order. At the same time, they also warned of strict action if the rally is organised.

Undeterred, TD leaders devised a strategic plan and took precautions to evade police arrest beginning Tuesday night. Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy deliberately left his mobile phone at home and remained incommunicado, TD leaders and activists strategically positioned themselves in cinema halls and lodges in advance. At four o'clock in the evening, they all converged at the VRC intersection, where they started bursting firecrackers, drawing a large crowd of supporters.

VRC intersection witnessed an overwhelming turnout. From there TDS leaders marched to the Gandhi Bomma Centre.

Now, the registration of cases against TD, JS, and CPI leaders has added a new dimension to the ongoing political turmoil in the region over the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu. The accused leaders are yet to respond officially to the charges. However, tension in Nellore town is continuing to simmer.