YSRCP slams lathi-charge on Andhra secretariat staff
YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy condemns the police action against village and ward secretariat employees protesting for promotions and pay hikes.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has launched a scathing attack on the current coalition government in Andhra Pradesh following a police lathi-charge on village and ward secretariat employees. The employees were reportedly engaged in a protest to voice their grievances and demand long-pending benefits.
Allegations of broken promises and police high-handedness
Speaking to the media in Tadepalli on Sunday, YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy accused the ruling administration of betraying its electoral commitments. He claimed that the government is utilizing law enforcement agencies to suppress employees who are merely fighting for their legitimate rights.
According to the MLC, the situation at the Dharna Chowk turned violent when police displayed significant high-handedness. He noted that instead of addressing the concerns of the protesters, the authorities behaved harshly toward the leaders and active participants of the village and ward secretariat movement.
Mass detentions and lack of leadership
The crackdown has resulted in significant unrest, with the following details emerging regarding the incident:
- Mass Detentions: At least 141 individuals were taken into custody during the protest.
- Demands: The employees are seeking crucial promotions and salary increments.
- Broken Pledges: The MLC alleged that Chandrababu Naidu had promised to double their pay upon taking office, a commitment that has reportedly not been met.
The YSRCP leader further criticized the vacuum in leadership, stating that while the Chief Minister and his son are away, no minister has stepped forward to take responsibility or initiate negotiations. He claimed the government has left the employees at the mercy of law enforcement rather than engaging in dialogue.
A blow to democratic values
Lella Appi Reddy also pointed out a perceived double standard in how the government handles protests. He suggested that the coalition government seems to support protests when they serve specific political interests—referencing a previous incident at the SAAP office—but resorts to physical force when the protests involve genuine employee demands.
"Such actions in a democracy would not go well," the MLC remarked, emphasizing that the suppression of peaceful protesters seeking basic rights is a concerning trend for the state.