Attackers on Dr. JP should be Arrested: Lok Satta Party

The Lok Satta Party today demanded Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to ensure that those guilty of attacking its national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi on February 11 are arrested and punished.

Taking part in a party dharna at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park here today to protest against the attack on Dr. JP, State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao also demanded that stringent action be taken against police personnel who indulged in violence and abusive language against Lok Satta workers observing a peaceful protest at Ambedkar statue near Liberty on the night of February 11.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao pointed out that the Lok Satta Party has never indulged in double speak and all along maintained that the State cannot be kept either united or separated forcibly. Dr. JP has the distinction of unveiling a comprehensive and amicable solution that takes care of the interests of all the regions in the State. Instead of appreciating him, some Telangana protagonists have chosen to indulge in physical assault on Dr. JP, he said.

Expressing solidarity with the Lok Satta Party, Mr. N. Tulasi Reddy of the Congress said attempts to extinguish freedom of speech would lead to untoward consequences. Mr. Linga Reddy of the TDP described the attack on Dr. JP as undemocratic. Mr. Venkata Reddy of the MCPI (U) expressed his support for the Lok Satta cause.

Among those who took part in the sit-in were Lok Satta’s state vice-president Allu Ramesh Reddy, secretary Nandipet Ravinder, Mahila Satta, Yuva Satta State Presidents N. Saroja Devi, P. Shivaji Raju, GHMC unit President Dosapati Ramu, vice- presidents G. Srinivas, P. Bhavani, party leaders K. Gangadhara Rao, Hyma Praveen, B. Sambi Reddy, N. Nagendra Babu and Rohit Kumar.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao and other Lok Satta Party leaders met Director General of Police B. Prasada Rao and sought suspension of Saifabad Circle Inspector Umender who indulged in physical and verbal violence against party workers including women and media personnel.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao told the DGP that the Lok Satta has never indulged in agitations that disrupt law and order and people’s lives in its 18-year history. When it was peacefully protesting against the attack on Dr. JP on the night of February 11, Saifabad police pounced on them without any provocation and indulged in physical and verbal violence. The party’s GHMC unit President, Mr. Dosapati Ramu, sustained injuries in the police action.