AAP protests against arrests in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad, Aug 8: AAP activists took out a protest march here on Monday against the arrest of its volunteers for burning the effigy of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The Aam Aadmi Party activists marched from Hotal Mela Plaza with black bands and placards which read: "If raising voice against rape is a crime, then we will commit the crime again and again."

The 200 party workers were stopped by police at the main gate of the Collector's office where they submitted a memorandum to Additional District Magistrate Preetie Jaiswal.

AAP leader Sachin Sharma later told District Magistrate Nidhi Kesarwani that the arrests of the party activists amounted to "murder of democracy".

A memorandum addressed to President Pranab Mukherjee accused the Uttar Pradesh government of acting against the AAP with political vendetta.

"The state government has failed to stop crimes against women. So you are requested to dismiss the UP government," the memorandum said.

Earlier, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said a government that had failed to curb communal riots in the state was curbing the constitutional rights of citizens to protest.

IANS