Vijayawada:Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has warned of strong action against attempts by gangs using intimidation to forcefully acquire properties. “Their properties will be seized,” he said in an obvious reference to alleged YSRC-inspired gangsterism in the past.
Naidu issued the warning during his visit to the Telugu Desam central office, the NTR Bhavan in Mangalagiri on Wednesday. He said, “There are also instances of business shares being forcibly appropriated. The government is seeking information on laws that will help it seize properties acquired by mafia groups,” he said.
Naidu interacted with party leaders and participated in the grievance programme organised by the TD to receive complaints from the public.
He said the government is concerned about new types of crimes like forcible acquisition of assets and would take stringent actions against such groups. "We have heard of corruption, but the act of forcibly taking shares in businesses is something new."
Naidu cited the practice of brandishing guns to coerce property owners into relinquishing their stakes. Referring to similar issues in Mumbai, Naidu said there were laws to seize the properties so acquired by mafia groups. “The AP government is seeking information on introduction of such legislative steps. It is the state's responsibility to ensure justice for those who have lost their properties through unlawful means,” he said.
Some victims of such frauds, who attended the event at the party office, explained in detail how they got cheated by the YSRC leaders in recent years. They urged the CM to order for an inquiry and take stringent action against the errant and ensure justice to them. “Our assets have been forcibly occupied by YSRC leaders after unleashing physical attacks on us by rowdy gangs,” they said.
The chief minister promised to order a detailed probe into such actions.
Among the victims, Karempudi Abhiram of Gollapudi told the Chief Minister that the YSRC MLC, Talasila Raghuram, with help from assistant commissioner of police Hanumantha Rao and inspector Ravindra, threatened him and forcibly took over his properties worth over `10 crore. This was for the sole reason that his father, K Ravindra, had filed his nomination for the MPTC elections, Abhiram said.
Abhiram said that unable to digest the harassment, his father died of a heart attack.
G. Madhu of Chandragiri in Penugonda mandal of Satya Sai district told the Chief Minister that his properties were forcibly occupied by then cabinet minister, Sankara Narayana. Though he approached the local police with proper evidence, the police officials including inspector Srihari and sub-inspector Basha, thought it fit to file cases against him.
P. Suresh of Nellimarla informed the Chief Minister that he was physically attacked by the local YSRC leader, Mypadu Prasad, for obstructing illegal transport of sand from the Champa river in 2022. Then, to add to the provocation, an illegal case was registered against him by the local police, he said.
The Chief Minister promised to resolve the issues after taking note of the appeals from those who gathered at the party office, including some differently abled and the senior citizens. He also extended some financial assistance to many of them.
