VIJAYAWADA: In the wake of the proposed silent protest at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam on January 26, Andhra Pradesh DGP N Sambasiva Rao on Tuesday affirmed that no permission was granted for such congregations in Visakhapatnam where Section 144 of CrPC is in force.
"In a democratic country, people have right to exercise their freedom of speech and can organise any protests or rallies. But no individual or organisation has sought permission. When nobody is ready to take responsibility for organising such event, we cannot permit it. If something goes wrong, who is to blame? " he said. However, he said that the police would consider if anyone seeks permission.
The DGP appealed to people not to take the messages on social media at face value and land themselves in trouble. "With no censorship, social media is being used for all wrong purposes. People are tweeting or posting messages without any responsibility which will not be tolerated," he said.
On restrictions against media's entry to the RK Beach Road in Visakhapatnam, he said that there were no restrictions on media but in case the coverage would hamper law and order, the police are bound to act accordingly.