Left stage 'rasta roko' against attack on 'padayatra'

Hyderabad, Sep 4 (UNI)The CPI and CPI(M) today staged a 'rasta roko' here, protesting the alleged attack on the 'Padayatra' of CPI(M) MP Madhu in the old city yesterday by AIMIM workers, in which more than 15 activists were injured.

Addressing the party workers at the RTC cross roads, where an effigy symbolising the AIMIM was burnt, CPI(M) State Secretariat Member Y Venkateswara Rao alleged that the AIMIM workers hurled stones, ''unable to bear the popularity'' his party was gaining in the ''neglected'' old city, where thousands of Muslims were living in penury.

He said Mr Madhu had undertaken a six-day 'Padayatra' from September one to know the problems of people whom '' the AIMIM had cheated all these years with mere words.'' Mr Rao said the party workers were injured, when the AIMIM workers ''directly attacked'' Mr Madhu with stones, apart from hurling brickbats at the party workers.

Despite the attack, Mr Madhu continued his 'Padayatra', which would conclude on September six.

UNI