CPI(M) attempts to gherao CM

Vijayawada, Oct 13 (UNI) As many as 400 CPI(M) activists, led by Andhra Pradesh State Committee Member Ch Babu Rao and City Secretary R Raghu, today attempted to 'gherao' Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) stadium here in protest against the release of two (Government Orders) GO's by his Government.

The first 'GO 1156', allowed the Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner Natarajan Gulzar to remove encroachments on Krishna river bund (embankment) on which many families were residing. The second 'GO 635' notified the hike in property tax for commercial establishments.

After visiting the Kanakadurga temple, when the Chief Minister reached the stadium to leave for West Godavari district by a chopper, the CPI(M) activists suddenly basieged his convoy at the helipad, raising slogans against him despite tight security.

Sensing that the situation was going out of control, police caned on them, in which four activists were injured.

Though tension prevailed, the Chief Minister didn't come out of his car, which drove straight to the chopper.

Later, a huge rally was taken out from the stadium to protest against the cane charged by the police.

UNI