Sec 144 Across Andhra As TDP Calls For Bandh Over Chandrababu Naidu's Arrest

The Andhra Pradesh police have imposed prohibitory orders banning rallies and meetings across the state while the Telugu Desam Party has called for a statewide bandh on Monday in protest against the arrest of its party chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with a misappropriation of government funds case.

Shortly after the Vijayawada ACB Court sent Chandrababu Naidu to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday, authorities enforced Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) throughout the state.

The imposition of Section 144, which prohibits gatherings of four or more individuals, will be applicable to all mandals (blocks) in the state. These measures were evidently put in place to preempt any potential protests by the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Since Naidu's apprehension by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Nandyal on Saturday, various regions of the state have witnessed demonstrations.

On the other hand, the TDP has called for a bandh in Andhra today.

In a statement, TDP AP president K Atchannaidu requested the party cadre, people, and civil society to participate in the agitation and make it a success.

"The Telugu Desam Party has called for a statewide bandh tomorrow, Monday (September 11) in protest against the illegal arrest of Nara Chandrababu Naidu, atrocities on the party cadre, and vengeful politics," a press release from the party said.

The former CM was arrested by the CID around 6 am on Saturday from outside a marriage hall, where his caravan was parked, at Gnanapuram in Nandyal.

After an arrest saga of more than 36 hours, the ACB Court gave the remand order around 6.50 pm on Sunday evening.

He was arrested in connection with a fraud case involving misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, leading to a loss of Rs 300 crore to the state government, AP CID Chief N Sanjay said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, several TDP leaders have also been placed under house arrest following the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu by Andhra Pradesh CID in connection with the skill development case.