Security at AP CM's residence heightened

Hyderabad, May 17 (UNI) Security at the official residence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was stepped up in the wake of Madiga Rashtra Porata Samiti'(MRPS) founder Manda Krishna Madiga announcement that he would launch a fast-unto-death outside the CM's residence, demanding categorisation of the Scheduled Castes.

However, the Chief Minister was not in the state capital as he had left for New Delhi this morning on an official business.

Police was deployed in large numbers on all the roads leading to the CM's residence at Begumpet. Armed policemen were checking vehicles as well as people walking through these roads, creating traffic snarls.

A strong posse of policemen were also posted at the office of the 'MRPS' in Parsi Gutta, where Manda Krishna Madiga was holding discussions with his colleagues.

According to police sources, Krishna might be arrested as soon as he stepped out of his office.

Demanding categorisation of the SCs, Manda Krishna Madiga alleged that Malas, a sub-sect of SCs, were cornering all the opportunities, including reservations and depriving Madigas (another sub-sect) of their rights.

He told mediapersons that about 150 of his organisation's activists were with him and he had asked the district-level office bearers to organise rallies, demonstrations, rasta rokos and other forms of protest at their respective places.

In a democracy, an organisation had a right to take out a peaceful rally and stage a dharna or resort to fast, he said and recalled that when he went on a hunger strike outside the residence of TRS Chief K Chandrasekhara Rao, without giving prior notice, police had cooperated with him.

''When that was the case, why should I not take out a rally and go on a hunger strike outside the CM's residence for which I had already given notice,'' he asked?.

Mala Mahanadu, representing Malas, opposing the categorisation of the Scheduled Castes, had also threatened to undertake a fast outside the CM's residence, if the government succumbed to pressure.

Meanwhile, Madigas of the Telangan region staged a dharna on the road in front of the assembly, dissociating themselves with the 'Madiga Porata Samiti.' When the agitators did not heed to the police request to withdraw the stir and allow the hold-up traffic to resume, they arrested the protestors.

Telangana Madiga leaders said as they had no faith on MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga, they would continue their agitation separately for categorisation of SCs.

The leaders alleged that Krishna Madiga had colluded with Chief Minister and weakened the movement.

UNI