Wednesday (September 11): Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was put under house arrest in Vijayawada today by YSRC government. Several Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders and workers were also taken into preventive custody.
Krishna District Police locked the gates of Naidu’s residence at Undavalli and did not allow his convoy to move out of the house.
The statement issued by CMO’s office says Mr. Naidu was taken into “preventive custody” as “his actions are increasing tensions and creating disturbance to law and order in the Palnadu region of Guntur district.”
Mr. Naidu was to lead a rally to Atmakur in Guntur to protest against alleged attacks by YSRCP workers against TDP workers.
Mr. Naidu, while speaking to reporters outside the residence said, “This government is violating human rights and fundamental rights. This government has failed to protect its people. At least 125 people belonging to SC, ST, minorities have fled from Atmakur fearing attacks by YSRCP workers. There are women and children among those who fled.”
Nara Lokesh, son of Mr. Naidu, accused the state government of running a dictatorship and called the house arrest a murder of “democracy.”
“The ruling party is trying to strangulate our party across Andhra Pradesh. We were doing our activities in a democratic manner but our entire leadership was put under house arrest. This is dictatorship… TDP leaders and workers are being harassed. YSRCP MLAs are openly threatening us, saying the police are with them,” N. Lokesh told news agency ANI.
Leaders of the ruling YSR Congress were also detained in Guntur as they too gave a call for a counter-rally to highlight alleged attacks on party workers during the TDP regime, news agency PTI reported.
