VIJAYAWADA: Director General of Police N Sambasiva Rao on Tuesday said that Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham does not have the permission for ‘Chalo Amaravati Padayatra’. Police permission has not been sought for the proposed padayatra to be undertaken either by Mudragada or his followers.
Speaking at a press conference here, the DGP said that as per the Supreme Court’s guidelines, anybody who wants to take out a procession would have to seek police permission and take responsibility for unlawful activities.
He said, “Police will not spare anyone who resorts to violence. This time police have expedited inquiry to take stringent action against anti-social elements.” Sambasiva Rao said thousands of policemen along with Rapid Action Force have been deployed in sensitive areas to thwart any untoward incidents. All the district police have been alerted as some leaders gave a call to besiege police stations. Security has been tightened in the capital region.
The DGP said that, if in case they apply, the police would deny permission considering past violent incidents which had taken place under the aegis of Mudragada. He cited 1993 and 1994 riots and recent violence in MRPS agitation. Advising Dalit and Kapu youth to stay away from the movement, he said, “Violence has been witnessed in all caste based agitations.” He further said that police are functioning objectively and that they are not against any political movement.
He advised youth not to take part in the padayatra as prohibitory orders have been promulgated under Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 of CrPC. If law and order problem occurs, the police would not spare anyone indulging in violence. “Last year in Kapu reservation agitation, the anti-social elements destroyed property worth `60 to `70 crore. Law has a long hand and it will be strictly enforced,” said Sambasiva Rao. He advised parents to counsel their children to stay away from unlawful activities.