Press Releases Archive

Letter to DGP on Attacks on LSP

The following is the text of representation that Lok Satta team led by Party Working President DVVS Varma submitted to DGP, seeking security cover to Lok Satta Party leaders and activists, immediately arresting all the culprits involved in the widespread attacks and pursuing necessary course of action...

To
Shri K. Aravinda Rao, IPS
Director General of Police (DGP), Andhra Pradesh
Lakdikapul, Hyderabad.

Sub: Attack on Dr. JP in Assembly - widespread attacks on Lok Satta Party members – need for urgent action, confidence building measures by the police – reg.

Dear Sir,

A heinous physical attack on Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Satta Party President and Kukatpally MLA) on the morning of 17th of February, 2011 took place within the hallowed precincts of the Legislative Assembly itself. This was followed by widespread and brazen attacks on the Lok Satta activists in other parts of the State:

  • TRS activists attacked a totally peaceful demonstration that was being conducted against the attack on Dr. JP and in support of democracy and rule-of-law, in Siddipet (near Ambedkar Statue) on 17th February 2011 at around 3 PM. This demonstration-cum-rally was being led by LSP Medak District President Advocate Tummanpalli Srinivas. Several prominent and reputed citizens, Lok Satta members and activists and civil society representatives also took part. Notorious local goons having a history of previous offences repeatedly attacked this peaceful procession and mercilessly beat up T. Srinivas. Lok Satta leaders and members who tried to save Mr. Srinivas too were assaulted and consequently suffered injuries; these injured members included Mr. Nagesh (Siddpet constituency In charge), Mahesh (Siddipet town incharge), Shankaramma, Sharat, Srinivas and Ramachandra.

Some of the attackers were readily identified by everyone present: Mr. ‘Karate’ Krishna, husband of local Councillor Naveena (representing the Ambedkar Nagar and Balaji Nagar areas of Siddipet), Mr. ‘Dolphin’ Murali, and Mr. Nandu, all notorious and having previous record of violent behaviour and breaking the law. The entire assault was captured on video by the television channels present at the scene.

  • On the same day, Lok Satta Party activists were also attacked in Sangareddy (near Gandhi Statue), while they attempting to peacefully demonstrate against the attack on Dr. JP

  • Dozens of Lok Satta Party activists were also attacked in KPHB Colony on the 17th February, (at around 6 PM; at the Gandhi Statue, Road No.1, KPHB Colony) by TRS activists using sticks and stones, resulting in injuries to two volunteers.

  • Lok Satta Party workers were also attacked in broad daylight in Moti Nagar, of Hyderabad.

  • On the 18th of February, Lok Satta Party Ranga Reddy District Incharge Mr. Jangaiah Yadav and his colleagues were attacked in LB Nagar (in front of BSNL Office, Kotapet).

These continuing series of brazen, violent and condemnable physical attacks are threatening the very life and liberty, fundamental and political rights of Lok Satta Party activists. Put together, these incidents are assaults on democracy itself. They are attacks on constitutional and democratic values and freedom of expression. Despite all these blatant provocations, we have appealed to people not to react violently either in word or deed. We now urge you to direct the police to immediately take firm, visible and concrete steps by:

  • Providing/enhancing security cover to Lok Satta Party leaders and activists

  • Immediately arresting all the culprits involved in these widespread attacks and pursing the necessary course of action.

Your timely, vigorous and much-needed response would greatly help reduce the clear-and-present threat to Lok Satta Party activists. It would also surely help strengthen the confidence of the public in the rule-of-law and preserve peace and order in the society.

Sincerely,


DVVS Varma
(Working President, Andhra Pradesh Lok Satta Party)

K. Srinivasa Rao
(State General Secretary)

K. Geeta Murty
(Member, State Working Committee)

T. Padma
(State Executive committee)

S. Gajanani
(State Executive committee)

Saturday, February 19, 2011 - 16:28

Parties resolve to promote democratic values, Condemn attack on Dr.JP

An all-party meeting conducted here today said that the attack on Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta Party President and Kukatpally legislator, on the legislature premises was an attack on constitutional and democratic values and freedom of expression. The attack epitomized the decline in democratic values, the meeting said in an unanimous resolution.

The meeting conducted at the Lok Satta Party headquarters also condemned attacks on Lok Satta activists in Medak, and L. B. Nagar and Moti Nagar in Hyderabad, and congratulated youth in the U. S. who took out protest rallies in Irwin and other cities.

Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma presided over the meeting attended by representatives of the Congress, TDP, PRP, CPI, CPM, Forward Block, RSP, and Telangana Democratic Front and a number of voluntary organizations.

Inaugurating the meeting, Mr. Varma said rowdyism and goondaism in legislatures mirrored the decline the democratic values. The Lok Satta Party had convened the meeting not to seek sympathy for its leader or to demand action against culprits responsible for the assault. It aimed at discussing how political parties with different ideologies and policies should conduct their activities.

Mr. N. Tulasi Reddy(Congress) said it was shameful that at a time countries like Egypt are fighting against despotism, democratic traditions are being given a go-by in India.

Mr. Ramakrishna (CPI) said that political parties would lose credibility further if they choose to physically attack their opponents, instead of respecting their point of view. Mr. Y. V. Rao (CPM) said that all parties should condemn physical attacks transcending their political differences.

Mr. B. N. Reddy and Ms. Vijayalakshmi (both TDP) said physical attacks based on brute numbers deserved to be condemned by all.

Mr. Ramachandraiah (PRP) said means should be as noble as ends. The attack on Dr. JP, who is fighting for restoration of ethics in politics, is reprehensible.

Mr. Deshpande (Forward Bloc) said the struggle for a Telangana would not be furthered by attacks on freedom of expression. The TRS legislators should have peacefully protested against the Governor’s address. Telangana people’s pleasure over the success of the non-cooperation movement evaporated in the wake of the attack on Dr. JP, said Ms. Vijayalaskhmi (Telangana Democratic Front).

Mr. Padmanabha Reddy (Forum for Good Governance) regretted that the attack would prevent good people from entering politics. Mr. Lakshman Reddy(Jana Chaitanya Vedika) said the attack triggered concern over the safety of people from other regions in Hyderabad.

Mr. Srinivasa Reddy (IJU) said he believed that Dr. JP is the only real people’s representative in the Assembly. Although he too stood for a Telangana State, he felt the attack adversely affected the morale of separatists. Mr. Devulapalli Amar, senior journalist, said that politicians should respect others’ opinions even when they differed from theirs.

Among others who condemned the attack on Dr. JP were Mr. Lok Nath (Jai Bharat), Mohd. Turab (Kova), Mr. Chengalreddy (Rytu Samakhya), Ms. K. Aruna (Vikas Dhatri), Mr. Venkatramayya (Satyanveshana Mandali) and Mr. Prasad (Jana Vignana Vedika).

Lok Satta Party leaders G. Raja Reddy, Katari Srinivasa Rao, and Mrs. Gita Murthy coordinated the meeting.

Friday, February 18, 2011 - 18:06

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