Anti-social elements behind yesterday's police firing: CM

Hyderabad, July 29 (UNI) Expressing deep regrets for the loss of six lives in yesterday's police firing, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today alleged that certain anti-social elements, who were bent upon toppling him, were behind the incident.

In a letter, released to the media here, Dr Reddy said though he had instructed the police to exercise utmost restraint during the agitation, he had also warned the people to avoid participating in agitations at public places as certain anti-social elements were likely to indulge in violent activities.

''For what is this agitation? Has the government rejected the people's demand for decent dwellings ? I have distributed 4.5 lakh acres of land to the poor after assuming office as Chief Minister.

In the first phase of Indiramma housing programme, Rs 500 crore has been allotted for land acquisition and Rs 5,000 crore for house construction. We have planned to construct 20 lakh houses,'' he said.

Dr Reddy said he was not a person who would run away from a problem, but would fight to solve it.

The police firing at Kaldari in West Godavari district where farmers were killed and the firing at Nandigram in West Bengal were not carried out at the behest of the Chief Ministers and Home Ministers. The police officials concerned had taken the decisions, depending upon the seriousness of the situation, he added.

Referring to the demand for his resignation from various political leaders, he threw a challenge at them to disprove his claim that the state government's housing programme was number one in the country.

He appealed to all parties to set aside political differences and join hands with the government for the welfare of the poor.

UNI