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Video: TDP workers, gathered to welcome Naidu, lathi-charged in Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh government had prohibited public meetings and rallies on roads across the state after eight people died in a stampede-like situation at Naidu's political rally in Nellore district last week.
Days after a heated battle between Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party and Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, the police on Wednesday resorted to lathi-charge to disperse TDP supporters gathered to welcome Naidu in the state's Chittoor district. The Andhra Pradesh government had prohibited public meetings and rallies on roads across the state after eight people died in a stampede-like situation at Naidu's political rally in Nellore district last week.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, police officials were seen violently clashing with TDP workers and using batons on them. Several TDP supporters were seen being dragged into police vans and taken into custody. Meanwhile, Mandal party woman president was also injured in the incident, ANI reported, adding that her condition was critical.
The police also seized several vehicles of TDP leaders, including party president Chandrababu Naidu's campaign vehicle, news agency PTI reported. They also prevented the former Andhra chief minister from entering his Kuppam constituency.
“I am the MLA from Kuppam for the past seven terms. It's my home. How can you prevent me from going to my own house,” Naidu angrily asked a police officer, getting down from his bullet-proof vehicle, as quoted by PTI.
He told the police officer that he had written to the Director General of Police several days ago informing about his Kuppam tour.
This comes days after the tragic Nellore incident, where eight people had died in a stampede-like situation when Naidu was addressing a roadshow there. According to police reports, people had gathered in large numbers at the venue and there was some jostling among the public during the meeting. Several YSRC leaders, including ministers, blamed it on Naidu and his ‘craze for publicity’.
The TDP president, however, said it was the responsibility of the local police to take precautionary measures.
