Cong men surrender before police, get bail

Vijayawada, Oct 24 (UNI) As many as 12 Congressmen today surrendered before the police following registration of bailable cases against them for parading a donkey with a banner carrying TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu's name.

The incident occurred during a dharna here on October 17 as a sequel to the TDP activists staging a protest using a buffalo with 'state government' written on it.

The agitations were in connection with the government granting clemency to Congress Leader Gouru Venkata Reddy convicted in a double murder case.

The decision (granting pardon) was later overturned by the Supreme Court following which Mr Venkata Reddy surrendered before police.

Police sources told UNI, the Congressmen, including City Unit President Pyala Somi Naidu, were later released on 'station bail.' Bailable cases were registered against 15 Congress activists under Sections 188 and 341 of the IPC. Three more partymen were yet to surrender.

The TDP leaders went to the extent of portraying a Dalit activist as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and holding a procession on October 19.

The incident caused a furore with the Congress and Dalit organisations taking out a huge Dalit Self-Respect Protection Rally' here yesterday besides asking the TDP chief to tender an apology.

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