Congress stages dharna, burns Paul's effigy in AP

Hyderabad, Jun 9 (UNI) Congress activists today organised dharnas and burnt the effigies of Evangelist and Global Peace Mission President K A Paul in several parts of the state protesting against his allegations that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had demanded Rs 20 crore from him for 2004 Assembly poll campaign.

Police said the Congress and NSUI activists staged a dharna at RTC cross roads in the city and burnt the effigy of Paul, disrupting traffic for more than two hours.

In Sanga Reddy, the Congress activists staged 'rasta roko' on National Highway 9, demanding that Paul tender an apology to the Chief Minister for levelling allegations against him.

Reports from Medak district said Congress activists staged a dharna in front of the Charity city, owned by Paul, at Sadasivapet.

Police restricted the activists from entering the premises of the Charity home.

Meanwhile, the revenue officials seized some documents pertaining to the lands, owned by Paul at Charity city, to verify whether any violation had taken place in the purchase.

UNI