CPI(M) stir turns violent; section 144 clamped in Tirupati

Hyderabad, May 6 (UNI) Hundreds of CPI(M) supporters were taken in to custody when their agitation against land-grabbing turned violent in Hyderabad and Tirupati today.

In Tirupati, as a precautionary measure, section 144 had been clamped. In several places, police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the agitators who planted party flags on government lands and occupied public lands.

In Hyderabad, cadres, including women, planted party flags on government lands in Uppal, Kapra, Golkonda, Mahdndra Hills, Kushaiguda and Jawaharnagar areas.

In Mahendra Hills, in the Secunderabad area, around 2000 of them erected huts on government lands besides putting up party flags.

Collector Chandravadan asked the leaders to withdraw the agitation and cooperate with the authorities. However, they refused to relent forcing the police to resort to lathicharge. Many were taken into custody. In Langarhauz, agitators pelted stones on the police.

Condemning the lathicharge, CPI(M) workers staged a dharna at the busy RTC Cross Roads obstructing traffic for over an hour. They were also taken into custody.

In Mangalam near Tirupati, a sub-inspector and a woman constable were injured when agitators pelted stones on the police who tried to remove party flags. The injured police personnel were admitted to the SVIMS Hospital.

Police said party workers led by Chittoor district secretary K Murali occupied about 200 acres of government land in Mangalam, Tiruchanoor, Market Yard and M R Palli areas. Later, 40 of them were arrested.

UNI